“Yes.”
“Thatclub.”
“Uh-huh.”
“And you think this is the answer.”
“I think,” Benson said, “it may be the beginning of one.”
Liam opened the card and read, eyes moving quickly. Benson watched him do it and thought, with an abrupt, strangeaffection, that Liam had not changed in some ways. He still looked most alive when some impossible puzzle was set before him.It’s how he makes his money, I guess.Instinct and experience.
“This could work,” Liam muttered.
“It will work only if it is done properly.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaningwe do not simply parade her through a room full of strangers and congratulate ourselves for being broad-minded.”
That made Liam laugh. “Agreed.”
“She has to understand what we’re offering.”
“And what are we offering?”
Benson took his time answering. “A life,” he said at last, “in which being with us does not mean beingownedby us.”
Liam came back toward the sofa, invitation in hand, all brightness gone from him now. What remained was something Benson trusted far more.Thoughtfulness.
“If we do this,” Liam said, “then it has to feel like her fantasy. She needs to feel wanted in a way that doesn’t completely sexualize her too much to be loved by two freaks like us, but also lets her get her own freak on.” When Benson said nothing, Liam said, “Then we start there.”
He sat again, spreading the invitation flat on the coffee table between them. And Benson, finally feeling the day loosen its grip on him in favor of something far more exciting, sat down opposite him and began to plan.
“Let’s go through a million ideas,” he said, wanting another drink.
“Yes, go on.”
Benson grunted. “And obliterate my mind because tax season is finally fucking over.” God knew he couldn’t think about anything else until he had a hot bath. But maybe he’d have some dinner first.And dessert.Maybe in that order.
Chapter 18
Eden
She walked out of her Manhattan hotel room with a flutter in her chest and only the wobbliest of ankles. Unlike La Mariposa, the walkways in New York City weren’t as smooth or… well, clean. Yet she had worn the white heels that she bought to be a Butterfly, because they were what went with her outfit that night.
The invitation and setup were a bit on the nose, even for Benson and Liam – whotriedto remain anonymous, but Eden was on to them – but many balls remained in Eden’s court. She could have said no. She could have demanded more information, especially since it required a train ride and checking into a hotel room that had been reserved for her by a “mysterious benefactor” – emphasis on theBen –but Eden was intrigued enough to follow through. After all, she liked surprises. Especially sexy ones.
As it so happened, Blair and her girlfriend Mira were performing at the club in New York City that night.Yes, the only one worth going to for people like us.Referred to as simply “the club” by Blair and anyone else who specifically meant that one in the heart of Manhattan, Eden asked if she could go with them until she felt more comfortable hanging around the club by herself.I’ll probably pass on watching their performance.Sounded like it was a VIP thing, anyway, and Eden’s invitation didn’t include that.
Something was charming about Blair and Mira, two rich women in their own right, taking the same train into Manhattan – especially since Blair arranged it once she heard which one Eden would be on. It was Blair’s first time meeting Mira, and she immediately understood what Blair saw in her – and complained about. Cool, reticent, and oozing with an heiress’s innate aloofness, Mira was cordial but claimed to be “locked in” to her Domme mindset before the performance that night. Blair teased that she only got that way when “oodles” of money was on the line.“All I have to do is show up,”Blair had said.
Mira went on ahead to deal with business matters at the club, but Blair met up with Eden for a light dinner two blocks away.
“You must be going to the Black & White party in the back room,” Blair said when she saw Eden’s getup. The other woman was dressed in jeans and a baggy T-shirt, implying she would change into whatever was in her bag when she arrived at the club.They must know her well enough to let her in dressed like that.Eden still couldn’t get over it. Would she ever reach a point where she felt as comfortable as Blair in those spaces? “Assuming your invitation said to dress in either all black or white.”
“It was heavily implied that women dress in white and men in black,” Eden explained. “But it was worded in a way that was moremasculineandfeminine.”
“New age, babe.”
