Page 1 of Brutal Sin

ChapterOne

Pamela slidher bare thighs onto the bar stool, feigning relaxation even though the sensation was illusive.

Whimpers and groans filled her ears, along with the rhythmic slap of naked, sweaty bodies. At one time, she’d thrived on this atmosphere. The lascivious environment had invigorated her. Awakenedher.

Until the excitement wore off and desperation setin.

Escaping to the Vault of Sin had been her monthly ritual for almost two years. She’d started out optimistic, hoping to replace the void her husband’s death had gouged into her chest with the delicious thrill of the exclusive sex club. Now, the bright hope had faded to black, making her bitter and resentful. There was nobody here for her. No one to give her what she needed. What she craved.

“Are you looking for company, sweetie?”

From the corner of her eye, she took in the man beside her. With the gentle tone of one word—sweetie—she could tell his aim for the night was to role play in genres unsuitable to her palate. She didn’t want to be his good little girl. She didn’t require a pedestal or the touch of a delicate hand. Her desires were far more complex thanthat.

“I’m good, thanks.”

It was time to face the harsh reality. Her sex life would forever be on a downward slide. Her marriage to a man who had pinpoint precision on her libido had ruined her for future lovers. She needed to stop wasting time on men who lacked the skill and patience to get her off. She’d squandered enough Saturday nights already, spent months upon months playing with men who refused to take non-verbalcues.

“You sure?” He placed his hand against the ribbons tying the back of her corset, now entranced with the navy-blue flecks in the material sparkling in the bar light. The boned lingerie, along with the silken panties she currently wore, were a present from her late husband, Lucas. One of the last presents he’d given her. “You look lonely.”

She sighed. Yep, she definitely needed to move on. Now men weren’t even taking verbal cues. “Not lonely. Just alone. There’s a difference.” She swiveled on the stool and slid to her feet. “And besides, we’ve been together before. It isn’t something I want to repeat.”

“Aww, honey, from memory, we had a lot offun.”

“You had a lot of fun.” She bit her tongue to stop elaborating.

His brows pulled tight, encouraging her to walk away in case he interjected with an insult of his own. When she’d first arrived at the Vault, the other patrons had considered her shy and apprehensive. They hadn’t seen past her exterior. They hadn’t attempted to look deeper.

To them, she resembled a shallow, neglected puddle, when the reality was an expanse of tumultuous ocean. She knew exactly what she was searching for. The checklist was small but specific. And apparently, each item was more rare than a unicorn.

Her feet stopped of their own accord as she came to the open doorway of one of the side rooms. Zoe, another regular club patron, was on the sofa along the wall, her two men paying homage to her scantily-clad body with such sweet finesse it made Pamela’s eyesburn.

The threat of tears wasn’t due to weakness or heartbreak. These were tears of frustration. Of utter annoyance and anger. Why was it so difficult to find a man in tune with her needs, the way these men were in tune with Zoe’s?

Everywhere she turned, sexual chemistry stared back at her. The bartender, Shay, had it with her manager boyfriend, Leo. Then there was T.J. and his wife, Cassie, along with every other duo inside the secretive walls of the carnalclub.

Maybe her appetite was the problem.

Her desires were too specific. She had no use for sweet affection. She craved finesse in a more dominant form. The skill of a man who could inspire an orgasm mentally as well as physically. Damn it. Was she being overly critical? It wasn’t as if she expected a stranger to learn everything about her in one touch. Problem was, some men still had no clue after three orgasms.

Theirs.

Nothers.

“They’re good together, aren’t they?” The smooth drawl came from a man at her back. “They adoreher.”

“Yes, they do.” She closed her eyes briefly and forced down the instinct to fling another rejection. “But I’m looking for something a littlemore…”

“What?”

She shrugged. Pointing out specifics seemed equivalent to gifting a completed puzzle. Where was the fun inthat?

“Whatever it is, I’m happy tohelp.”

Her last slivers of hope faded with each breath. “I want to be controlled.” The admission came with a wince. She shouldn’t be encouraging more opportunities for disappointment. There’d already been enough.

“Hmm.” His thighs leaned into her, his unmistakable erection nestling against her ass. “I can control you, princess.”

An arm wrapped around her waist. The touch light, delicate—a man playing a dominant role he had no idea how to perfect.

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