Page 16 of Let’s Be Real

Ben: But your tum-tum hurts!

Adrian: You’re taking this father thing too seriously. I truly regret texting you.

Ben: Go to the naughty corner.

Me: No, he’d like that too much.

Roman: True. That wouldn’t be a punishment at all.

Adrian threw his phone down. “You’re all useless. I’m going to bed.”

True to his word, Adrian shut himself in his bedroom. After an hour of quiet, I checked on him to find him fast asleep.

Good.

That was good.

He needed rest.

But I could have used the company. My skin was crawling, and nothing I did worked to settle me. I sat at my kitchen island, thinking I’d pour myself a drink, but the idea of being stuck with my own thoughts for hours didn’t appeal in the least.

That was how I ended up at Mile High Club.

From the outside, it was nothing more than a squat, nondescript building. Inside, at first glance, it was a sleek, private bar. On closer inspection, the stage was equipped with straps and hooks, the crowd wore a mix of expensive suits and leather, and more than a few partners were kneeling on the floor.

I’d been here enough times to decide it wasn’t my scene. I liked sex, but not enough to go the lengths many of these people did to enjoy it. My bed worked fine, and if I was inspired, the shower or couch would do.

I took a seat at the bar and ordered a drink. Getting lost in people-watching while I took slow sips was easy. The sex acts didn’t take place out in the open, but the negotiations did—the flirting, the kink discussions, bargaining for who would do what to whom.

I was caught up in a woman petting a kneeling man when Samantha appeared in front of me.

“I didn’t expect to see you here. I thought we were meeting over nachos.”

Her sleek blond hair was carefully tucked behind her ears. Neat and tidy. Her black suit was tailored to within an inch of its life over her long, lithe limbs. She looked all serious and in charge, while her smile sparked with mischief.

“Plans changed.” I held up my drink. “Adrian left me alone with my own thoughts, and that’s never a good idea. I thought I’d swing by and see what you’ve done with the place.”

She moved beside me, perching on a stool. “You’re just in time for the wax show.”

“It’s my lucky night.”

“It is.” Her shoulder bumped mine. “I’m sure you’ll be amazed at everything Madam Cara can do with a candle.”

That made me laugh. “I have no doubt. The only thing I know to do with candles is put them on birthday cakes.”

“Mmm…cake.” She crossed her ankles in front of her, revealing the bare tops of her feet between the hem of her pants and tops of her stiletto heels. “Did you come to play, Nate?”

So surprised by her blunt question, I nearly choked on my drink. As it were, the scotch lodged in my throat like a fiery ball until I forced it down.

“No,” I wheezed. “No, I don’t think this is my scene.”

“Really?” She hmphed. “You don’t have to be kinky to have fun here. We have all kinds of private rooms. There’s one I’ve always wanted to try, but I seem to keep dating uptight squares who want nothing to do with my job. It’s probably why my relationships never work out, but—”

She stopped herself, rolling her lips over her teeth.

“Keep talking,” I said. “That was fascinating.”

She sputtered a quiet laugh. “Never mind. You don’t need to know the gritty details of my terrible taste in partners. I’m sure Adrian has shared enough.”