23. Isabella
“Looking good, guys,” I said, carefully placing the brushed brass tabletop nameplates Dom had specially engraved.
Iran my fingers over the embossed letters, pausing for a second to take it all in. It was the grand opening of the MirageGuild, and the air was thick with anticipation. Dominic and Liam heaved cases of wine, their muscles flexing under the strain, laughter escaping them in short bursts. Emma, ever the perfectionist, adjusted the pillows and scrutinized every angle of my interior design masterpiece. Jessie, with my keen eye, polished each glass to sparkle, ensuring every reflection shone as bright as the future of this place.
Maxstood behind the bar, his hands moving deftly as he stocked it with the new bottles we’d tasted together. His face was a picture of concentration.
Ifelt bad that we hadn’t chatted yet, but I hadn’t trusted myself last night after one too many cocktails. And, like the coward I was, I had avoided him, slipping away as everyone else had said good night.
Idid one final sweep of the lounge, ensuring everything was perfectly in place. The rich jewel tones of the furnishings looked striking against the dark wood accents. Overhead, the antique lighting cast a sultry glow across each booth and table. I stood for a moment on the small stage, picturing it coming to life later: the buzz of conversation, the tinkle of glasses, the energy of people out to enjoy themselves.
“It’s really coming together,” Max said, coming up behind me.
Normally, he’d place his hand on the small of my back. A subtle gesture I didn’t realize I missed until now that he hadn’t done it.
Iforced a smile. “It is. I can hardly believe this is real.”
Weboth gazed out at the room. This vintage circus, secret speakeasy vibe had been quickly coming together for the last few months. Seeing his excitement now made my heart swell.
“Gather round, everyone!” Dom called out, waving us over. “I’ll be heading over to the PrismSociety tonight to make sure things run smoothly there. I trust that you all will handle the opening tonight perfectly.”
Weclustered around the bar, giddy with anticipation. I was happy my brother wouldn’t be here tonight. He’d let Liam take the lead on this space as he spent more time at Prism. Dom popped open a bottle of Champagne with a theatrical flourish and began filling flutes.
“To the MirageGuild!” He held his glass aloft. “To new beginnings and to Max, for not only passing his sommelier exam but truly embodying what it means to excel in his craft. Here’s to raising the bar higher.”
“To new adventures,” Jessie chimed in, clinking her glass against Emma’s.
Maxlingered near me, yet there was an unspoken distance between us, a tension that felt heavier than the air around us. It was clear what I’d said last night had landed poorly, his usual warmth replaced by a careful, measured silence. The moment passed, and the conversation flowed around me, but I couldn’t shake off the disquieting feeling of Max’s withdrawal. It hurt more than I expected, the absence of his casual touches, his smiles directed elsewhere, avoiding any interaction that might bridge the gap between us.
Theinstinctive need to maintain a fa?ade of indifference in front of our friends had driven my actions, but at what cost? Max and I hadn’t defined what was happening between us, true, but the connection, the unspoken understanding we’d shared, seemed fractured now.
Andit was my doing.
Max’shurt, his deliberate isolation, was a reflection of my own fears, my own uncertainties about what we were to each other. I brushed the anxieties away. Now wasn’t the time to spiral about this—not minutes before the grand opening. I had worked too hard and invested too much of myself into this project to have it derailed. The conversation with Max would have to wait.
Maxcleared his throat, pulling me from my inner turmoil. “To new beginnings!” he announced, his voice steady, but I sensed the underlying strain.
“To new beginnings,” I repeated mechanically, my voice barely above a whisper, my glass clinking against his a little too sharply. AsI watched Max mingle with the others, laughter, and lightness in his demeanor, a part of me ached to pull him aside, to explain, to bridge the gap I had widened. But fear held me back, fear of what acknowledging my feelings for Max meant, fear of stepping out of the safety of “casual.”
Why does this feel so complicated?I thought, taking a deep breath and trying to focus on the night ahead. But no matter how hard I tried, my gaze kept drifting back to Max, and with each glance, the knot in my gut tightened, a silent reminder of the internal conflict I couldn’t escape.
Notyet, I pleaded silently, glancing at Max’s handsome face. Give me tonight.
* * *
Withinthe hour, the energy in the club had shifted dramatically. From behind the hidden bookshelf door, a stream of elegantly dressed guests flowed into the intimate space, their faces alight with anticipation and curiosity. Couples clasped hands, friends whispered excitedly, their eyes sparkling under the dim, golden lighting that bathed the room in a warm, inviting glow.
Softmusic drifted from the sound system and the clinking of glasses could be heard around the room as people sipped on Max’s signature cocktail. He was held up behind the bar, pouring glass after glass of the purple and gold drink.
Liamnavigated the crowd of VIP guests with ease, shaking hands and explaining the concept of the new space. Unlike the PrismSociety, the MirageGuild gave the opportunity for more public displays of lust and passion.
Everyone’seyes kept drifting to the center stage where the entertainment for the evening was set up. I’d planned circus-themed vignettes to grace the stage to entertain our guests. It was a play on the circus acts that traveling shows put on, but instead of traditional juggling or trapeze artists, we had topless jugglers walking around the lounge, on-stage masturbation, and aerial sex.
Rightnow, the stage showcased a woman lying back on a red velvet chaise. Her brown hair was pinned back with gold clips and a deep red stain marked her lips. Her body was draped in a black, sheer mesh fabric that bunched at her hips in waves as she moved. She cupped her breasts with slender hands and trailed red-painted fingernails down to her inner thighs.
Shehad no toys, no accessories, just herself. Guests watched from comfortable seats or from across the room as the woman hummed while she explored herself. She was just what we needed to set the tone for the rest of the evening.
Ikept pace with our guests, refilling glasses and fetching snacks as needed. Every time I made my way up to the bar I tried to communicate as much as I could with a glance at Max. He grinned at me, and part of my brain told me that I’d made up for the hurt I saw in his eyes last night, but deep down I knew I’d seen it.
Thesoft ringing we’d set up to announce a shift in the stage set rang out from the speakers, alerting the entertainment and staff. I watched as the curtain dropped around the stage and the anticipation in the room built.
Withinminutes, the curtains were pulled back again. On the stage now rested a bed with clean creamy silk sheets, a small wooden table within arm’s reach of the bed, and a couple. On top of the table rested various toys and accessories that would be used on stage, for everyone to see.
TheMirageGuild was more than exploring fantasies, it was about putting them out in the open for everyone to enjoy and experience. It was about removing the judgment and stigma about enjoying watching others in pleasure. And by the grins on the faces of our VIP guests, I think we got it right.
Ileaned against the bar for a few minutes and watched the couple. Everyone in the room seemed to be holding their breath waiting for them to get started. The woman sat up on her knees, wearing only a tiny lace thong. Her creamy skin glowed in the dim light of the room and was a contrast to the tan hand of the man who palmed her belly.
Theman knelt behind her, placing soft kisses up and down her neck as she smiled. His other hand reached around to grab her full breasts and she moaned when he tweaked her nipples. More guests came to take their seats to watch the show.
Theman slid a palm down her toned belly and cupped her between her legs, grinding his palm into her. She rolled her head back against his shoulder, her breath coming out heavy. He reached over to the table and selected a palm-sized vibrator and turned it on.
Herolled the buzzing device all over her body, making her tremble. He ran it down her neck, in between her breasts, over her stomach, and pressed it between her legs. He ran it over her panties, and we all watched as she lifted her hips to press herself into it.
Theman was only wearing small, tight shorts, revealing a bulge pressed into the woman’s back. Everyone watched with rapt attention as the man tugged down her panties and pulled them off her. She sat up, bare for all of us and we greedily soaked her in.
Hereached again for the table, this time selecting a thick, veiny dildo from the options of toys. He trailed it up her thighs, up between her breasts, and brought it up to her mouth. She immediately parted her lips and I let out a small gasp as he slid the dildo in her mouth.
Iswallowed, hoping it would clear my head, and turned from the stage. I reached for a glass of water and caught Max’s eyes. They were dark and his brows were furrowed as he took me in. My chest grew warm, both from the display on the stage, and his stare.
“I’m sorry about earlier,” I said. What better time to apologize than when everyone else was distracted by what’s happening on the stage? “I don’t know why, I just . . .” I let my voice trail off, not really sure whatI mean.
“It’s fine,” Max said. “Truly, I get it.” He smiled at me, so I smiled back.
“I just don’t know . . .” I said, not really saying anything.
“You don’t need to overthink this, Isabella, I’m fine, I promise,” he said. “Now turn around and watch the show. It’s getting to the good part.”
Iswallowed at his firm direction. Maybe things would be okay between us. Just because I wasn’t ready to do a deep dive into our situation didn’t mean we couldn’t keep whatever it was that we were doing, right?
Myeyes scanned the room making sure no one needed anything, but all eyes were on the stage, so I followed their lead. My eyes widened as I watched the man slowly slide the dildo in and out of the woman as he held her up with his other arm, wrapped under her breasts. Her chest was red, and her breath came out in moans as it pressed past her entrance.
Theman kept the dildo inside her, lowering her hips down on it. He reached for the small vibrator he was using earlier and placed it on her clit. Immediately she started rocking her hips and moaning louder.
Theentire room watched as the woman crested over the edge. Her body pulsed on the dildo shoved between her legs as the man held her up. Their set was about to wrap up, so I took a deep breath and started to make my way around the room.
Asthe lights dimmed and the sultry ambiance of the MirageGuild embraced us, I found myself caught in the mesmerizing spectacle unfolding on stage. The performers moved with a grace and intimacy that echoed the thrum of desire pulsing through the club. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught glimpses of Max, his attention fixed on the stage, yet a palpable distance hung between us—a chasm widened by my words earlier.
Thevibrant energy of the performance, meant to draw people together, highlighted the space growing between us. In that moment, amid the seductive allure of the Guild, all I wanted was to bridge that gap, to lean into the warmth between us. Yet, as the performers intertwined in a dance of shadows and light, I remained rooted in place, the weight of unspoken emotions anchoring me firmly to the spot.