Page 5 of Bound to the One-Night Stand

“Shhhh. You don’t want the wrong people to hear you.”

“And do what? Oh, heaven forbid. I can’t get married because I’m in jail. Like the two are any different.”

“Please,” she begs, fear rolling off of her so hard it nearly chokes me on the sour stench. “I can get terminated and imprisoned for even telling you this. You’re not supposed to know until the official text tomorrow. I just… I thought it would be better hearing it from someone you know and at least kinda like.”

Numbness pervades my limbs as I shake my head. “You’re right. This isn’t your fault. Thank you. At least I can start packing tonight.”

“I mean, you needn’t do all that. The Alpha you’re with might want to move in with you.”

A dry laugh rumbles in my chest as I pull away. “Doubt it. I have nothing to offer an Alpha.”

Not physically, anyway. My mind churns as I pull out myphone. I only have one thing an Alpha would be interested in, and I damn well refuse to give it up to some stranger the government pairs me with.

I shoot off a quick text to Kessily, telling her I changed my mind. After assuring Angie I’ll keep my mouth shut, I make my way out to hail down a cab. Tonight, I’ll lose my virginity to someone I damn well choose, and I’m not going home until I do.

CHAPTER 2

JESSICA

Music pulses under my feet, pouring out of the unassuming building in front of me. It’s a sensation more than an actual auditory experience. From the outside, La Petite Douleur looks more like a French restaurant or bistro than a sex club.

Others climb out of sleek cars and make their way over, their elegant dresses and suits more suitable for the red carpet than the debauchery that apparently awaits us. Their masks glitter in the glow of the neon sign blinking from up high and the various lights shining around us, making them look as if they’re encrusted with diamonds. In comparison, I look plain and drab.

The mask is one Kessily let me borrow and is nothing more than a cheap Halloween piece of plastic held together with an elastic cord. My dress is whatever is clean and not wrinkled. Not like them.

Thankfully, Kessily looks about the same, so I won’t stand out too much. Glancing over, I jerk my head toward the entrance where The Elegants, as I call them in my head,make their grand entrance. They seem to float on air, just exuding money and class. Definitely not like Kessily and me.

Nervousness trickles down my spine as I tug on my simple clothes. “How much does it cost to join this club, anyway? I didn’t think we made enough for all that.”

Kessily follows my gaze and gives a soft chuckle. A soft sigh drifts from her lips as she shakes her head. “Don’t let them fuck with your mind too much. Not everyone looks like that. They like to show off. It’s part of their kink, I guess. What you’re wearing is just fine.”

Again, I tug at the cheap fabric and frown. “I don’t know… They seem like they fit here. Not like me at all.”

Turning, she plants her hands on her hips before letting out a sound that’s not quite a growl, but not friendly either—exasperated is more like it.

“Look, I’m not here to set you up for failure. We look the same. It’s not like this place has a set dress code. You have to look presentable for the people outside. Basically no wearing fetish clothes or showing up naked. But once you’re inside, anything goes. There’s nothing saying you have to wear elegant clothes. Just come as you are.”

“I suppose…”

“Look, they come here pretty often, so I know them well. They get off on the high-end side of things. I’m pretty sure any play equipment they have at their house is probably hewn from solid mahogany or something. Please. Trust me. If I can afford this place, so can you. That is, if you want to join after tonight. This visit is on the house.”

Dread drips down my spine as I watch them make their way to the door. They’re so perfect, so elegant. Everything I wanted to be but could neverhave. My stomach twists as Kessily threads her arm through mine and drags me toward the door.

“Honestly,” she continues. “It’s what I love about this place. Everyone is accepted, rich and poor alike. Behind these doors, we’re all equals. The man you saw sporting the Rolex and tux will soon be on his hands and knees, begging to be whipped. The woman next to him will be doing the disciplining. Before the night is over, their third will probably be spit roasted like the dirty little whore she likes to be.”

My eyes widen as I follow their movements, noting the reservation and absolute elegance in their stance. Nothing about them speaks to anything so deviant. But I suppose it’s the facade they wear. If I passed them on the street, I’d think they were heading to an opera or a soiree. I certainly wouldn’t dream of anything as depraved as all this.

As if she can sense my unease, Kessily wraps her arm around my waist and gives me a squeeze. “You’ll be fine. And once we’re inside, you’ll see they’re the exception and not the rule. Their scenes are spectacular, though, so don’t let the little green monster keep you from watching them.”

The doors part, but instead of people hanging from the rafters and fucking every which way, there’s a nice bar and restaurant. Narrowing my eyes, I look at the people milling about or sitting and having a drink. Nothing about them looks out of the ordinary.

“Okay. Is this a big joke? Did you lie to me to get me to come try out some new restaurant instead of stuffing my face with ice cream? I mean, I’m not complaining, but…”

“But?” she teases, giving me a wink. “Disappointed or relieved?”

“A little of both, I guess?”

“IDs and membership cards.” A burly man holds out his hand, looking every inch a refined bouncer.

---