“Punny. Very punny. You’re a jackass.”
“I’m your jackass. Now fix that tie and head down with me.”
“You’re a closet bully, you know.”
“I think you mean enabler.”
*
Scanning the club floor, Aiden noticed a mix of long-time members and new faces. He nodded and leaned against the corner wall. He nudged Zack with his shoulder.
“It seems like the new passes are working. A few members we haven’t seen in a while.”
“Is that your way of gloating?”
“I am wounded that you would think that of me.” Aiden laughed. “I’m just glad the numbers worked out in our favor.”
“Listen, we aren’t partners for your good looks, brother.” Zack’s mood seemed to be improving. “Can we not be busybodies tonight? Is that too much to ask?”
Aiden nodded halfheartedly, his attention caught by the raven beauty across the bar.
She was huddled in a corner with Claudia and Violet, two submissives who worked their membership dues in the club shop and helped other Surrender Masters.
His lip curved, remembering how her lips tasted that night. Sweet, with a hint of sin he’d been craving since that day. The way she gracefully sipped her martini left a familiar impression.
“Hey, isn’t that the woman we met at that party some months back?” Zack looked over his whiskey glass.
“Oh, I do believe so…”
“Never thought we would see that feisty little minx after she ghosted me with a wrong number,” he mused, straightening his jacket with a smirk.
“The night just turned interesting.”
Sophie
“I’m telling you, Soph, if this place had apartments, I’d live here.” Claudia’s bubbly personality was infectious, and Sophie found herself relaxing and enjoying their surroundings.
The girls found themselves against a bartop table tucked in a quiet corner. The soft hum of conversation and the heavy scent of leather filled the space. A few pairings could be spotted throughout the club, coupled up in various states of undress.
“I don’t think your dominant would appreciate that. You’re already here for work and play. Didn’t you take an extra shift in the club store last week?” Sophie narrowed her eyes. “Are you avoiding Brandon?”
Claudia waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, hush, it’s not about me tonight.” Something was definitely going on between the two of them.
“So, have you heard from Ella Bella this week?” Sophie looked down at her friend, surprised she remembered her newest client. Ella, the new sole owner ofBella’s Gourmet Goods, looked to Sophie to clean up the behind-the-scenes operations and implement a new system.
“Yes, we are meeting next week about restructuring her business since she expanded and bought her partner out.”
“I love that!”
“Me too, I’m excited to–” Sophie’s words stopped, a pair of intense hazel eyes bore into hers. She nudged Claudia’s shoulder. “Hey, do you know who that is?”
Claudia set down her drink and followed Sophie’s line of sight. “Oh! That’s Aiden. He owns the club. You met him last year, remember?”
“No…”
“Yes. The charity event I dragged you to because Brandon had to work.”
“Oh god, that washim? I–fuck.” Sophie’s memory clicked into place, and her cheeks reddened.
