Page 15 of Shadow

Someone shouted for Michael from another office, and he gave her a small wave before he turned and disappeared.

Back in her truck, she laid her head against the seat and tried to shove the past to recesses of her mind. She really did miss her friends and the BDSM community. She’d thrown herself into the convention circuit for a few months, attending everything in driving or train ride distance, and that community was fun too, but it wasn’t home. Maybe it was time to return to Club Exposure. Of course, if Ripley was back, he would be hanging around, too. She ignored the voice that told her that wasn’t a bad thing. Because that voice was wrong. It was an awful thing. Ignoring Ripley in an environment like the club would be impossible. She’d never seen him there of course, but she knew he was a show-off from the couple of house parties at Gage Allard’s house they’d been to. He would make it difficult for her to ignore him.

But why should she let one guy stop her from going back to a place she loved? A place she helped found. The answer was, she shouldn’t. Sitting up straight and jamming the key into the ignition, she started the truck and made a determined choice.

She was going back to Club Exposure.

Chapter 6

“Idon’tseemtohave you in the system.”

Olivia stared at the stranger working reception in the lobby of Club Exposure. She’d been away for a while, but not so long that people wouldn’t at least recognize her name. “My membership lapsed. I need to renew it and probably sign some new paperwork.”

The stranger smiled. “Oh. Well, if you didn’t resubmit your membership application online, I can’t let you in. New applications have to be processed before you can attend a party.”

“Seriously? It’s not a new application. I was one of the first members of this place. Where’s Gage?”

The girl rolled her eyes the same way Olivia might at an annoying patron in her bar. “Gage made the rules. I’m sure he’ll say the same thing.”

Olivia wanted to growl but didn’t. The receptionist was simply doing her job. Instead, she pulled out her phone and dialed Gage’s number.

“Hey hot stuff. Long time no speak. What’s up?”

“I’m in reception, and this girl won’t let me in.”

“Be right there.”

The call dropped, and Olivia offered her a tight smile. “He’ll be right here.”

The door to the main dungeon opened, and Gage stepped out. Olivia grinned when he pulled her into a hug.

“Allison, this is Olivia Harrigan, one of our founding members. You can let her in. I’ll take care of the paperwork in my office.”

“Yes, Sir. Of course. My apologies, Ms. Harrigan.”

Olivia waved a hand. “It’s Olivia. Please. Just Olivia.”

“Come on in. I’ll buy you a drink and we can catch up. Peter told me about the fire.”

Olivia let Gage pull her into the heart of Club Exposure, and for the first time in a long while, she felt at home. The people, the sounds, the music, it all felt right. Why had she stayed away so long? Shame. Guilt. It didn’t matter, she was back now.

“You still drink gin and tonic?”

Olivia nodded absently. “Sounds good. You rearranged the furniture.”

“A bit. It’s good to spice things up now and then.”

As they walked through the dungeon towards the bar, Olivia spotted Darci Givens and Carrie Mercer locked in a deep kiss. She was glad they still… enjoyed each other even though they were both with very possessive, dominant men. The two women, with their contrasting heights and hair colors were stunning together. She caught sight of both their husbands observing from a nearby sofa. The look of adoration on the men’s faces made her heart ache. Olivia was not the jealous type, but she definitely missed being in a relationship. Even though her last two had ended disastrously. If you could even call what she had with Ripley a relationship. She couldn’t, right? That wasn’t a relationship. Late night booty calls and surprise visits that sometimes lasted less than twelve hours before he had to bolt out of town again did not make a relationship.

“Earth to Olivia.”

She jerked her head and blinked when she realized she’d been standing and staring instead of continuing to follow Gage. “Sorry. Lost in thought.”

“Right. Lost in thought. That’s what we’re calling it,” he said as his gaze drifted over Darci and Carrie.

She smacked him on the arm and let him take her hand to lead her to the bar.

“Is that Noah?” Olivia asked, nodding to a man perched on a stool near the end of the long counter.

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