Page 74 of Unwritten Rules

“Okay, so we’re going to tell you, but first, you must know that you have got to keep this a secret, Mila. Swear you won’t tell a soul?”

Ooh, this sounds promising!

I nod my head enthusiastically. “I swear!” Zipping my thumb and forefinger across my lips, I twist them at the end in a locking motion. “My lips are sealed—though why does it not surprise me that you two couldn’t keep a secret? Josie O’Malley, you’re incorrigible. Have people not realised you can’t keep a secret to save your life?”

Jo’s forehead crinkles in displeasure as Nola barks out a laugh.

“True, all true. Can’t fault that logic, can you, babe?”

“If you plan on getting lucky tonight, pretty girl, you should know where your bread is buttered.”

Nola rolls her eyes dramatically. “Touchy much? Sheesh!”

Oh no, Liv has warned me about how these two can go from friends and lovers to mortal enemies at the drop of a hat – and though I’ve not witnessed it before, I instinctively know that’s precisely where things are headed if I don’t rapidly defuse the situation.

“So, now that I’ve said I can keep a secret, ladies, who’s going to spill the tea?”

My two companions side-eye each other, and both speak in unison in a move that is almost rehearsed.

“To an elite members-only sex club!”

* * *

Before I can get a handle on how I’m feeling about this, we pull up outside the doors of what looks like a private country estate – likely from old money, judging by the sheer lavishness.

In fact, it’s reminiscent of Hawthorne House. Except on steroids.

Dark green ivy covers the sprawling mansion’s walls, and the multitude of sheer drape-covered windows spills light onto the courtyard-style area where Jo parks the car.

A man, presumably a valet, approaches as we exit the vehicle, handing Josie three plain black masquerade masks whilst plucking the keys from her outstretched hand.

“Here you go.” She tosses a mask to me as she dons her own. “Some guests opt to go in bare, but I’d highly recommend that, seeing as who your brothers are, yeah – I’d wear a mask if I were you.”

Placing the mask over my eyes, I tie the black ribbons behind my head, just above the simple up-style I’d set my hair in earlier today.

Goosebumps pebble my skin at the memory of Nate’s reaction when he’d first laid eyes on me. My gut wrenches almost painfully at the reminder that he finds me attractive – or exquisite, as he’d said.

Without even trying, he’s the most magnetic human being to walk the face of this Earth. I exhale heavily, reminding myself that pursuing a romantic connection with Nathaniel Hawthorne will surely result in the loss of our friendship.

And considering that I now know what that feels like, our friendship must come above all else.

That includes the ache in my chest and the flutters in my pussy that do nothing but remind and taunt me with what I can never have.

“Are you ready?”

Nola gently grasps my arm, and I raise my eyes to meet hers.

“How did you two even find this place?”

Jo chuckles. “You need to hold membership or be invited by a member. In our case, your brother made the—”

“Oh, my God, I’ll murder him. Just because Liv has been pregnant—”

“No, no, no, sweetie. Wrong brother.”

Wrong. Brother?

Even half-covered, my face must make quite the sight. Both girls bend double to laugh uncontrollably. “Oh, Mila. There are two sides to every man – Alex is much more adept at hiding his deviance.”