Page 3 of Hurt to Love
He knew me too well. I was easily distracted, always. Fish had nothing on me.
“I won’t. I haven’t been to Club X for a while.” I cocked my eyebrow suggestively and huffed out a smile. “Maybe I need to give that place the pleasure of my company tonight.”
Jackson rolled his eyes, knowing exactly what kind of ‘company’ that place offered, and headed back out of the kitchen.
“Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out,” he shouted, and left me to my Italian feast, courtesy of the wonderful Sylvie, and my debased thoughts about what a night at Club X could bring my way.
Club X wasa place unlike any other. Sure, it had the exclusive clientele like other clubs in this city, a strict dress code, and an invitation only policy. But what went on in this club was completely private and tailored to the diverse and somewhat eclectic tastes of its patrons. It was a club that made you sign an NDA before you even got through the fucking door. In short, it was my kind of club.
The entrance was low key. There were no flashing neon signs to advertise where it was. It didn’t need advertising; it lived off word of mouth. Situated in an old Georgian mansion house on the outskirts of the city, the building itself looked innocent enough, regal almost. But there was nothing regal about this club. It was pure hedonism. Or Sodom and Gomorrah, whichever way you looked at it.
Two doormen, dressed all in black and wearing ear pieces, were all that stood between me and a night of debauchery, courtesy of Club X.
“Haven’t seen you here in a while,” one of the men said in a bored monotone voice, as he unlocked the reinforced metal door behind him.
“Let me guess, you missed my sparkling humour and devastatingly handsome good looks?” I smirked back at him, but he didn’t crack a smile. To be honest, I was surprised they’d even bothered to talk to me at all. These two were men of very few words.
“Like a fucking hole in the head,” the other guy piped up, and then they parted like the red sea, standing to the side to let me through.
“Fellas, I won’t leave it so long next time.” Condescendingly, I patted them both on the arm then walked past them into the club. “Thanks for the catch up. It was… stimulating.”
They grunted and closed the door behind me, securing my place in this cocoon of decadence for the next few hours. I wasn’t complaining. An evening partaking in my kind of pleasure would put my world right back on an even keel. Like hitting the reset button. Plus, I needed the anonymity and superficial connection that this club offered; it worked better for me. I thrived on the mystery. And why not? People came here with one expectation. Pleasure. I could deliver that, for sure. Anything else? Well, let’s just say I preferred not to have expectations in any other part of my life. When people expected things from you, they became disappointed. I wouldn’t ever disappoint them again. How could I when my role was to be their clown? It was a role I filled exceedingly well.
* * *
I stalked along the short,dark corridor, like a panther on the prowl. Slowly making my way down to the small desk where blonde, sex club Barbie, or rather Amy, as she preferred to be called, sat waiting. As always, she was checking people in, taking coats and making sure everyone was up to speed on the house rules. Most people who were new came with an established club member. I brought Jackson once. He lasted all of three minutes before he stormed right out again. He didn’t understand what was so appealing about having sex with strangers. It wasn’t his thing at all. Me? I fucking loved it. Who wouldn’t? Sex with no strings. Sex the way I liked it, with no need to call her in the morning? Perfect. Well, I thought so. But lately, since Jackson had married Ryley, I felt like I was missing something. Maybe I needed something more? What that was, I had no idea. But life had lost its sparkle, and I wanted to get it back.
Amy smiled at me, licking her pumped up lips like she wanted to take care of me herself, and then giggled in an innocent, sexy way.
“Cill James. You’re looking good,” she drawled, letting her eyes roam up and down my body. “Is there anything specialIcan do for you tonight?” The way she emphasized the ‘I’ told me she was seconds away from dragging me into the back office to give it to me. It wouldn’t be the first time.
“Amy, Amy, Amy,” I said, leaning over her desk, stroking her cheek and looking into her eyes as if she held the key to my heart. “As tempting as you are, I’m just here to mingle. Maybe next time though?” I tapped the end of her nose and winked. “Hold that thought.”
She sighed back at me like a love-sick teenager. Amy was way too easy, and foolishly, I always kept her dangling on a string. Problem was, she probably had a dozen other guys who kept her as their back-up option too, and I didn’t do sloppy seconds.
“You know where to find me if you change your mind,” she purred, and I gave her my best panty-melting smile before I turned and headed through the door into the main part of the club.
* * *
Once I’d openedthose doors, the gentle humming bass I’d heard in the corridor turned into a thumping pulse, vibrating off the walls, along the floor, and deep into my body. I felt exhilarated. Excited about what the night would bring.
Every table in the club was occupied and the mood of the place was electric, as usual. On the main stage, I could see the entertainment was in full swing. A woman, dressed in a black leather corset and face mask, was chained to a pole and bent over. Behind her, some guy in a similar mask, holding a cat-o-nine tails, was fucking her slowly from behind. This was the warm-up act, and judging from the crowd, they were warming up pretty nicely. Couldn’t say I blamed them. It was quite a sight to behold.
It was a decent crowd for a Friday night; a good mix of couples and singles. A few of the couples had their partners collared, a clear indication that they were there to play with each other. If they wanted your attention, they’d ask for it. Sometimes it happened, but I preferred to do things my way. I didn’t like being the third wheel.
I glanced across to the bar, with its mirrored walls and red back light, and I saw Nick and Julian, Club X friends of mine. I headed over to where they stood to order myself a drink.
“The usual?” Phil the barman asked, as Nick and Julian turned to face me and grinned, seeing I’d finally graced them with my presence.
“Make it a large one.” I smirked. “I feel lucky tonight.”
Nick laughed and nodded at the barman to indicate they needed a top up too.
“Indeed you are, my friend. We have a private party downstairs,” Nick boasted, “and you’ve just gotten yourself a VIP pass, courtesy of our overwhelming generosity.”
“What makes you think I want to spend the night with you two boneheads? I might be here to show off my excellent dance moves and partake in the first-class bar service.”
Nick rolled his eyes at me and Julian shook his head.
