“Unless it happens in a private suite?Or event?”
“Precisely.”
“So you’re telling me that The Sanctuary is market research?”
His lips curve into a composed smile, no, into a conceited smirk.“The businesses complement each other.”
I recall the models that attended the event in Monaco, the women outnumbering the men by three to one easily.It had been chance that I’d caught his eye as I moved through the party, uninvited, hoping I evaded the Russian intelligence officer tracking me.“The models—are they paid to attend?”
The thin smile drops with a tsk.“They’re contracted for events; consent is explicit and monitored.We don’t employ sex workers in jurisdictions where it’s illegal, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Explicit consent is good.Power imbalance is better for predators.File under: watch.
“Our members may bring guests, but those guests are not contracted with our organization.And the models, yes, that’s an area where the brand extension makes sense.As you know, the world of modeling is highly competitive.Few succeed and even fewer make enough to live off.The number of models who jump at the chance to attend events with wealthy, available individuals is great.What happens at our events is always consensual and we keep a watchful eye to ensure the safety of all attendees.”
“I’m certain women are safe in your hands.”
“Open your mind, Brie.”I raise a pointed eyebrow, and his lips quirk.“Male models attend too.We’re equal opportunity in our hedonism.”
“Models,” I repeat.“Only the lovely,” I say, reciting the fragrance ad I once saw in an airport lounge in Paris.
“Words to live by,” he says as a back door behind the bar opens, and a young woman dressed in a cleavage revealing black halter top enters with a crate of glasses in her arms.She glances our way but busies herself unloading the crate.
“The bar opens in thirty minutes,” Adrien says.“Shall I show you the restaurant?We have quite the business breakfast scene.It’s a relief for many to meet without public scrutiny and questions.”
“Ah, so not as many models in attendance at breakfast?”
“Would it be out of line to mention that you’re making my hand twitch?”
Another door opens from the back right, alleviating the need to answer his question, a small grace, given the implication heated my skin and the memory flash of his palm on my ass with me on my knees sent heat spiraling low in my body.
“There you are.”The man addressing Adrien is dressed in the same all-black uniform as the man at the door, so I assume he’s an employee.“How’d your meeting go?”He doesn’t look at Adrien when he asks; he watches me.
The man is slightly shorter than me, thinning dark hair, with an outmoded thin mustache reminiscent of Clark Gable, but for all I know, the dated style is trending.
“It went well.I believe I’ll be satisfied with the renovation.”I cut my gaze to Adrien, and he adds for my benefit, “I’m renovating a bathroom in my penthouse.Eddie Thorne, this is an old friend of mine, Brie Anderson.I’m showing her around.”
Recalculation clicks behind his eyes.“Ah.If you need membership services Tiffany will arrive?—”
“She’s with me,” Adrien says, cutting him off as if he doesn’t want Eddie to finish whatever welcome pitch he might be about to give.“Eddie is the managing director of the New York and Miami locations.He’s been with The Sanctuary since its founding and is instrumental in ensuring it runs smoothly and every guest is cared for.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say, wondering how unusual it is for Adrien to bring a woman with him to the club.If he does this all the time, then we won’t pique any employee’s interest.If it’s a rare occurrence, or if he typically selects from the latest models, then that could explain Eddie’s interest in me.
“Ah, the specials changed on the menu for this weekend.Do you have a minute to review?We also needed to make some adaptations to Saturday’s event.”
“Certainly,” Adrien answers and Eddie hesitates, pointedly looking at me.
“Go ahead.I’ll be fine waiting here.”
Eddie looks at the bartender who is now taking plastic wrap off of cherries and fruit slices.“Serene, please give Ms.Anderson anything she wants, anything at all.”
Adrien hesitates, and I reassure him.“I’ll be fine.”
The two men exit through the same dark backdoor Eddie entered from, and I take a seat at the bar.
In a bright, upbeat voice, Serene asks, “What can I get you?”
“Nothing.I’m fine.”
