44. Lars
I flag down the waitress and motion for her to come to my side. “Is there an available VIP room?”
She nods. “Yes, sir. Room six.”
“We’ll be moving there. Can you have a fresh champagne set up prepared and a round of tequila shots delivered? Chilled, no salt, with lime, please.”
“Certainly, sir. I’ll meet you up there.”
I slip our stack of bills from the table into my pocket. Then my focus is on Neomi.
Her cheeks are flushed, eyes bright, lips swollen from mine. She looks wrecked in the best way.
I lean close, my voice low enough that only she can hear. “Are you okay with this?”
Her answer comes quickly, “Yes.”
“If at any point you become uncomfortable, you’ll tell me?”
She nods, then asks, “What do you think of Gabriel?”
I pause, because the answer to that question is still developing. “He’s attractive, he can’t keep his eyes off you. Could make for a fun evening.”
Her gaze holds mine, sharp beneath the haze. “I’m going to ask you something, and I want the truth. How far is this going to go?”
I exhale, fingers sliding through her hair. “Only as far as you’re comfortable with. Right now, we’re having fun. Maybe testing a line or two. I don’t know, Neomi. I just know you’re coming home with me and that’s what truly matters. Maybe we see where the night takes us?”
A grin curves her lips as her hand fists in my shirt, dragging me toward her.
The kiss she gives me is hot and messy, all tongue and heat and promise.
She tastes like champagne and mine. When she moans into my mouth, I answer with a growl from deep in my chest. She’s slowly becoming everything I’ve ever needed, and tonight she’s daring me to want more.
The dancer waits nearby, patient and smiling like she’s seen this a thousand times before, which I know for a fact she has. Still, I don’t break the kiss until Neomi presses her palm flat to my chest, catching her breath. Her eyes stay locked on mine, pupils blown wide.
That’s when I feel Gabriel’s gaze.
He’s watching us. Watching like he’s learning and cataloging every detail. Our eyes lock across the table, and something silent passes between us. Like he understands what this is and what it could be.
The air between us grows hot, humming with heat, until the waitress returns with a subtle nod toward the back of the club.
I stand, lacing my fingers through Neomi’s. She squeezes once, a silent affirmation. The dancer moves ahead, her hips swaying as she walks toward the stairs up to the VIP hallway, and Gabriel follows close behind.
I glance at Neomi. “Ready?”
Her voice is a whisper. “Always.”
The waitress leads us through the back of the club, up the stairs that lead to the VIP level and rooms. The noise of the main floor fades behind us, the bass is still present but muted like a heartbeat behind a closed door.
Each of the Monarch’s VIP rooms has a small, raised stage with a polished pole anchored against one wall, lighting softened to a warm glow that flatters skin and shadow alike.
A curved couch faces the stage, with plush chairs arranged around a low glass table for anyone who prefers a different vantage point.
There’s a wet bar tucked against the back wall and a wine fridge built beneath the counter, everything within arm’s reach so no one needs to leave once the door closes.
Cameras monitor every room for protection, but the feed route directly through management.
They’re there for the safety of both the dancers and our clientele.
As we walk into the room, I pull out my phone and type a short message to Nico to disable the camera in our room.
He won’t question it. If the night moves in the direction I suspect it will, Neomi and Gabriel won’t be watched by anyone but me.
The dancer moves first. She slides onto the edge of the couch, pats the cushion beside her with a teasing grin.
Neomi takes the spot, smoothing her dress beneath her thighs.
I follow, close enough to feel the warmth of her skin against mine.
Gabriel claims the chair, sprawling into it before bending to pull the bottle of champagne from the bucket to pour for us.
The dancer leans into Neomi, her tone light, asking questions she probably doesn’t care about.
Things like where we’re from, if it’s our first time here.
She’s a new dancer, not one I’ve seen before, so she probably has no clue who I am.
Neomi answers easily, not distracted by the dancer’s hand tracing a lazy path along her arm.
Her laugh is soft and real. For now, the dancer owns her attention.
Which leaves me with Gabriel.
“I’ll keep this simple,” he says, leaning toward me. “If I ever step out of line, you need to tell me. I want us all to enjoy the evening. Be honest, and I stop…or keep going. Clear?”
I nod once. “Clear. Same goes for you.”
His smile deepens. “Good. Respect’s the only thing that keeps this from turning messy. Everything else is fair game.”
“For what it’s worth, I’ve played before. Women, men, I find them both intriguing. But Neomi is my wife and this is her first time with this sort of experience, so everything hinges on her comfort.”
His gaze holds mine.
“I’ll be gentle,” he says with a grin.
I nod, then clear my throat. “So, our goal is to explore tonight. But if you cross a line, I’ll stop you.”
Gabriel leans back, his grin sharpening. “That’s all I need.” He raises his glass toward me in a quiet toast.
Our eyes lock, and something unspoken passes between us. There’s respect, agreement, and the kind of tension that feels like a fuse waiting to be lit.
Beside me, Neomi laughs again at something the dancer whispers, oblivious to the fire that just sparked between the two men next to her.
And then the dancer moves, reclaiming the moment.
She slides closer to Neomi, her hand trailing down her arm before curving across her thigh.
Neomi tilts toward her, lips parting when the redhead leans in.
Neomi’s shoulders ease back against the couch, her body opening to the touch without hesitation.
Her dress pulls taut as the dancer presses in, red hair spilling forward, lips grazing the skin at the base of her throat.
Seeing her submit to the moment while Gabriel watches it all has me hard as stone.
I’ve had nights like this before, men, women, a combination.
But I’ve never experienced it with someone I cared for.
Those other nights were filled with chaotic energy and boundaries being pushed. But tonight, I want to please my wife. I want this to be an experience we can share and explore within. She needs to feel safe and cared for every step of the way.
I plan on giving her everything she asks for.