Page 19 of The Player

He pushed open the door to one of the private rooms and stepped inside, the heavy wooden door closing behind them with a soft click. The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from a few flickering candles placed on a low table. A large, plush bed dominated the space, its dark sheets inviting, the air filled with the faint scent of sandalwood and leather.

Seth gently laid Hope down on the bed, her body sinking into the soft mattress. She looked up at him through half-lidded eyes, her expression one of pure contentment. That smile, that soft, dreamy smile that had lifted her lips when she’d all but purred at him, was something he swore he’d never forget. He knew, in that moment, that he would spend the rest of his life trying to bring that look to her face again and again.

His body was humming with lust, a deep, aching need that pulsed through him with every beat of his heart. He hadn’t planned to take her here, not in the club where they were still being watched, still under scrutiny. But the way she looked at him, the way her body called to him, made it damn near impossible to resist.

Seth took a deep breath, forcing himself to think clearly. He couldn’t take her here, not in this place, not when they were surrounded by people who were still trying to assess who they were. No, he needed to get her out of here, back to the townhouse where they could be alone, where he could take care of both of them in the way they deserved.

But even as he tried to focus on the practicalities, the thought of getting her home, of stripping away the last remnants of the scene and making love to her, sent another wave of heat crashing through him. There wasn’t a man in the club who wouldn’t understand his need to get her home and fuck her, but Seth knew this wasn’t just about appearances, about maintaining their cover.

No, this was something more, something deeper. This wasn’t just for the job, no matter how much he tried to tell himself otherwise.

Seth moved to the wardrobe in the corner of the room, searching for something she could wear to leave the club. He had no idea where the corset or thong had gone. It didn’t really matter, as stunning as they were, they weren’t exactly suitable for the cold London night. And the raincoat? He had no idea where it had ended up. He found a simple black dress, soft and loose, perfect for slipping on quickly. He grabbed it and turned back to Hope, who was watching him with that same serene smile, her eyes following his every move.

He knelt beside her, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Let’s get you dressed so we can get out of here,” he murmured, his voice soft, the words more for him than for her.

Hope nodded, her smile never faltering. “Okay,” she whispered, her voice still dreamy, her fingers reaching out to touch his cheek. The simple gesture, so tender and trusting, nearly undid him.

Just as he was about to help her into the dress, a knock sounded on the door, breaking the intimate bubble that had formed around them. Seth’s instincts went on high alert, his body tensing as he turned toward the door, shoving the black dress under the bed.

“Who is it?” he called out, his voice steady, though his mind was racing.

The door creaked open, and a tall man with silver hair and a sharp, discerning gaze, stepped into the room. This, Seth assumed, was the owner of the Citadel and most likely one of the leaders of the Obsidian Cartel. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, his presence commanding and authoritative. Seth had seen him earlier mingling with the guests but hadn’t had the chance to interact with him directly.

“Mr. Conway,” the man greeted, his voice smooth, his eyes flicking from Seth to Hope and back again. “I hope I’m not intruding.”

Seth shook his head, his hand resting protectively on Hope’s shoulder. “Not at all,” he replied, though his instincts were screaming at him to get Hope out of here as quickly as possible.

The owner smiled, a cold, calculating smile—did all of the cartel members have that same smile? Was it a prerequisite to join or did they issue you one with a membership card? “I wanted to personally commend you on your performance tonight. It’s rare to see such authenticity, such… passion. You and your wife were truly captivating.”

Seth forced a smile, though every muscle in his body was tense. “Thank you,” he said, his tone polite but guarded. “We appreciate the opportunity.”

The owner’s gaze lingered on Hope for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he were trying to discern something deeper, something hidden beneath the surface. Seth’s hand tightened on Hope’s shoulder, a silent warning to the man that she was off-limits.

“I’ll let you get back to your evening,” the owner finally said, stepping back toward the door. “But do keep in mind, Mr. Conway, that our club is always open to those who understand its… purpose. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing more of you and your lovely wife.”

Seth nodded; his smile tight. “I’m sure you will.”

The owner’s gaze flicked to Hope one last time before he turned and left the room, the door closing softly behind him. Seth’s breath whooshed out of his body, the tension slowly easing as the immediate danger passed.

He turned back to Hope, who was looking up at him with a mixture of curiosity and concern. “Who was that?” she asked, her voice still soft, though there was a hint of unease in her eyes.

Seth shook his head, his hand brushing her cheek. “Just the owner, baby” he said, reaching under the bed for the dress, trying to keep his tone light. “But we need to get out of here. Now.”

Hope nodded, and together, they quickly dressed her in the simple black dress he had found. Once she was ready, Seth helped her to her feet, wrapping the blanket around her shoulders for warmth. He could still feel the lingering effects of the scene, the desire that simmered just beneath the surface, but he forced himself to stay focused. They had to get out of the club, get back to the safety of the townhouse, where they could finally be alone.

As they left the room, Seth kept a firm grip on Hope’s hand, guiding her through the maze of corridors and back up the steep staircase that led to the surface. The night air was cool and crisp as they stepped out into the alley; the rain had stopped, leaving the city glistening under the streetlights. Her feet were bare, but he didn’t care.

Seth hailed a cab, his mind still racing from the encounter with the club’s owner, the implications of his words hanging heavy in the air. But as he helped Hope into the backseat and climbed in beside her, he allowed himself to relax, just for a moment.

They had made it through the night and had played their parts perfectly. But as he looked at Hope, her head resting on his shoulder, her eyes closing as exhaustion finally caught up with her, he knew that this was just the beginning. It wouldn’t get any easier or less dangerous than this, but whatever came their way, they would face it as true partners, and Seth would make sure that nothing and no one would ever hurt her again.

CHAPTER 9

HOPE

Hope didn’t remember much about the ride home in the car or getting into the townhouse. Truth to tell, she didn’t remember much about anything after he gave her the most delicious orgasm at the club.

“Seth,” she started as he carried her up the stairs, taking her into their room and getting the black dress off her body.

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