CHAPTER 14
Luke
The club is packedon Saturday night and we’re short staffed with two bartenders off sick. Jessie’s running the playrooms and I’m picking up the slack wherever I can, grabbing empty glasses and making drinks to keep the evening flowing.
Our two-drink maximum makes it easier to keep on top of the cocktails but I’m flagging by 10pm. So much for this being the night I got my head back in the game. We’ve got two performers up on stage demonstrating Shibari to a hushed audience, but the area around the bar is thrumming with energy as people arrive, spot friends, and catch up with each other.
This was exactly what I was going for when I founded Salt. Sure, I wanted a safe place for people to come and fuck each other’s brains out but I wanted to create a sense of community even more. The world of kink and its neighbouring kingdom of swinging are so diverse but both are incredibly welcoming and non-judgemental. The bonds formed at Salt go way beyond the physical.
I’m handing over a couple of margaritas when I spot a regular on her way in. She’s a firecracker, drawing attention from men and women alike. She’s Dita von Teese meets TaylorSwift, part pinup, part all-American girl. Even though I’m not drawn to her sexually, I’ve always liked her.
“Sloane,” I nod, giving her a warm smile. “Can I get you a drink?” She breaks into a smile at the sight of me and makes a beeline for the bar.
“Hello, boss man,” she greets me, leaning over the bar to kiss my cheek. “Working the bar tonight, are we?”
It’s only then that I see she’s towing a brunette behind her. She’s facing away from me, staring at the stage and I chuckle to myself – clearly a newbie. Her posture has that fish out of water vibe even though she’s wearing a knockout dress that barely grazes her arse. The chestnut in her hair catches the light and I’m struck by a sudden thought, just as she turns to face me.
Her face is radiant. She’s slightly flushed, and as her eyes find mine, her mouth pops open into the perfect ‘o.’ My heart stops and for a second, I lose the ability to think or hear as we just stare at each other. The air crackles with electricity as we regard each other in shock.
“Luke, this is my friend Emmy,” Sloane says, looking between the two of us, confusion blooming in her eyes.
The silence continues for another beat before Emmy breaks into a smile and raises an eyebrow that practically hits her hairline.
“Well, well, well. Tell me, howisthe hedge fund treating you, Luke?”
Fuck. I swallow and compose myself.
“Emmy,” I grit out, forcing a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes. “What are you doing here?”
My pulse is hammering in my chest, and for a second, I can’t get enough air.
“Recon, apparently,” she replies, side-eyeing Sloane. I frown.
“Recon?” I reply.
“Recon,” agrees Sloane, with finality in her tone. “How do you two know each other?” She’s suddenly sizing me up and glancing over at Emmy, whose mouth is curved into a smirk that’s bordering on gleeful.
“Luke’s my brother’s best friend. We’ve known each other since I was a kid. But until 20 seconds ago, I thought he ran a hedge fund. Unless you’re moonlighting as a bartender?”
“No,” I reply stiffly. “Salt is my club. I started it around a year ago.”
“Does Nick know?” she asks, suddenly scanning around the room with a slight look of panic in her eyes.
“Yes. It’s not his scene though, relax. He’s never even visited.” Her shoulders drop fractionally as she turns back to face me.
“So… a sex club?”
“A private members club,” says Sloane at the same time as I confirm, “a sex club.”
She laughs and the sound of it practically winds me. We share a long look – her face is the picture of curiosity as I wrestle on my most inscrutable mask.
I cannot believe she’s here. She’s been plaguing my thoughts for weeks and now she’s here, in the flesh, in my club. A club that’s built on secrecy and discretion, which she’s managed to find through a single degree of separation sparked by a mouthy American.
“Well, this is awkward,” Sloane chips in. “But you might be able to help us, Luke.”
“Oh?” I turn to her, breaking eye contact with Emmy for a moment. I instantly feel its loss.
“Emmy’s got this list?—”
