Page 7 of Velvet Secrets

My head tilted to the side; my curiosity completely piqued. “You’ve been holding out on me.”

“Sin, don’t?—”

“Too late.” I cut her off.

The shelf slid to the side revealing a slim, dark hallway behind it. It was unexpected—hidden within the bones of her office—and it immediately felt different from the rest of the club.

I glanced down at her, smirking. “Is this your panic room? Or am I about to find something much more interesting?”

She didn’t answer me right away and that was enough of an answer for me. Stepping around her, I journeyed the short distance to the end of the dark hall where a red light was peeking from below. I reached for the knob and realized the door was locked, so I glanced back at her.

“Only place in the club that isn’t accessible?”

“The only place that isoff limits.” She clarified, as a low, red light filled the space before she made her way to me, her heels clicking on the marble floor.

“Why’s that?”

“Because beyond this point…” She reached for the pad next to me, keying a code into it before pushing the door open. “Youlose all control. When I’m inside, I want to play. Wewillplay.My way.”

I glanced in the room then back to her, smirking, “is that right?”

“It is.”

I stepped inside of the room without waiting for permission allowing my eyes to sweep the space. The lighting was low and red-toned. It wasn’t large but it was decadent—dark woods, deep crimson walls, and a bed that looked more like an altar.

There was a rack of ropes. A cabinet with locked drawers. A wall lined with cuffs, collars, floggers and silk scarves. There were some toys that I recognized and some that made my blood rush.

Turning to her, I asked, “so this is where you bring people when you want to play?”

“It’s where I go when I’m in the mood to… guide things,” she answered.

I started in her direction, bypassing her to close the door before rounding her body, staying close.

“And how does one gain access tothisspace?”

“You get invited.”

“I didn’t get invited.”

She shook her head. “No. You found your way in.”

“I did.” I reached up and brushed a finger along the collar of her blazer. “Now I want to know what kind of woman builds a room like this—and what she looks like when she’s not pretending to be in charge.” She flinched slightly under my touch with a hint of defiance in her gaze and I smirked. “There she is.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but I cut her off, circling her neck with my hand. My hold was firm but not rough.

“Don’t talk. Not yet.”

I took a moment to watch her eyes, gauging the edge of fear and thrill that danced in them before leaning in, brushing my lips just below her ear.

“You’re going to be the one to unravel in here, not me,” I stated lowly. “You’re going to let me take you apart in the space you built to stay in control. And not because you want me to—because youneedme to.”

Her breathing hitched.

“S—”

My grip tightened a little. “I said don’t talk, Avani.”

I gave her an assertive look before loosening my grip and stepping back.

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