“How did you know?”
“I presumed you were going to play tonight. The Onyx rooms are the most secure if you want to do more than a little light bondage.”
“What made you think I’m here to…play?” I lowered my voice. I wondered if Alfie would be okay with us having this conversation. I wasn’t sure how much I trusted Kal not to step on Alfie’s toes.
“The toy.” He looked down the length of my body and I felt my skin turn bright red. “I’ve never seen your spine so straight. I’d know that posture anywhere.”
I looked away, the collar I had to wear that marked me as a guest felt suddenly very tight. “I don’t know how I feel about you knowing what we’re getting up to.”
He chuckled. “Lola, where do you think you are? What do you think everyone comes here for? Tea? The show? We’re all here for the same reason as you. To explore, to blow off steam. There’s no shame in it, especially when you’re in love.”
“Speaking from personal experience?” I asked and he paused, as if deciding whether to answer me honestly or not.
“Yes. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to keep mine.” He took a heavy swig of his whiskey. “I hear Eli is finally close to catching his girl though. Damien has a thing for your friend, she’s keeping him on his toes which is good for him. And Cas…Cas?”
Cas looked over, tearing his eyes away from the women.
“Have you got any plans to be in love anytime soon?” Kal asked him and Cas flashed a smile that could buckle knees.
“I’m always in love.” He returned his attention back to the women, leaving Kal and I once again to ourselves.
“What was her name? Your girl that you didn’t get to keep?” I don’t know where I found the nerve to ask him these questions. Maybe it was the club. It brought out the brazen in everybody.
“Lily.”
“The scent in your house,” I said, remembering how the smell had hit me when I’d walked in. “The candles you had lining the staircase…It was lilies right?”
“Yes. She died, before you ask. She didn’t leave me.” He stared into his glass for a few moments, moments where I couldn’t say a word. All I could do was feel a sudden depth of sorrow for him. When he looked at me, for once I didn’t see a man playing games or trying to fuck, I just saw a man whose heart was still broken. Who came to this place night after night, looking for something he couldn’t get back. “You remind me of her. She wasn’t from this world either, or meant for it. Like you.”
“You don’t think I’m meant for this?”
He gave me a sad smile. “I don’t think you’ll be coming back.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t come back here anymore either. I don’t think you’ll find your new love here.”
“Darling, that’s the point. No one here is looking for love, which works out just right as I have none to offer.”
I felt Alfie squeeze my thigh and I realised his conversation with Damien was over. In fact, Damien had disappeared altogether. He was across the room, receiving a dance from a burlesque-dressed woman who bore a startling resemblance to my best friend.
“Are you ready?” He was asking me so much more than that and not for the first time tonight, my skin heated all over.
Still processing everything Kal had just told me, I stood, my core clenching as that thing moved inside me.
Kal stood and kissed my cheek goodbye. “Have fun. Listen to Alfie. He’ll take care of you.”
I left them behind and followed Alfie out into the noise. Gone was the quiet seduction of the darkened burlesque performance. Out here, the rich and famous had come to play and they were playing. Hard.
“You and Kal seemed cosy,” he said as we walked. I glanced up, relieved to see the look on his face was more amused than anything. He hated what Kal and I had done together but it seemed he trusted both of us enough not to be threatened.
“He isn’t obsessed with my best friend like Damien, he isn’t permanently in a bad mood like Eli and he’s saner than Cas. He told me I should have fun and trust you because you’ll look after me and—” I froze mid-step, my eyes widening as they landed on a familiar figure. “Is that Maia?” I saw her down a hallway, dressed in a gorgeous, deep purple gown, disappearing into a room with Eli who was looking at her like she was water in a desert. I looked at Alfie. “Did you know she was coming?”
“Yes. Mind your business, Lola.” It was a gentle admonishment but it bothered me all the same. “Remember the rules; You don’t talk to her about this outside of the club.”
I nodded. “I understand.” I wasn’t going to do what Julia had just gotten kicked out for doing to me.
All thoughts of Maia, Julia and Kal disappeared as we arrived at the same hidden entrance that I’d been through once before when I’d come here to confront Damien.
Before we entered, Alfie turned to me. He took my chin, holding me firmly until I met his stare. “You never come down here without me. Not ever.”
