do I owe the pleasure of seeing you in such a place, little bird?”
My skin buzzes with nervous tension and anticipation for when I finally face him. Will his usual controlled manner still be there, or will I witness the beast of a man my dad talks about? I inhale a deep breath and turn to face him. There’s no stronger power than the will of a man with his kind of strength and stature. Gabriel screams dominance. Power. He takes control.
“I wanted to get a drink.”
His lips curve into a knowing smile. “Does your father know you’re here?”
“No. I don’t need to tell him everything. I’m a big girl.”
He lifts a crystal glass to his mouth and takes a long sip, his eyes never leaving mine. My bravado slips, and suddenly I’m not feeling so tough. His intensity is chipping away at my calm.
“No…okay…I saw you and…followed you. What is this place? A strip club?” I peer around, noticing more undressed women sitting on laps, dancing, doing—
“What do you think it is?”
I think I just walked into some sort of private sex club. “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me? You’re the one who came here,” I reply, acting confident, far from how I feel.
Gabriel takes a step toward me, his free hand caressing my cheek. His touch burns in a way I crave, and I want nothing more than for him to set my entire body on fire. “I can show you, little bird, but once you’ve seen it, I can’t have you flying away on me.”
“I won’t. I promise. Show me. I want to know,” I breathlessly reply.
He laughs at my eagerness and finishes off the rest of his drink. “All right. I’ll bite. But just know, you’re teasing a man who’s always hungry…I might bite off more than you’re willing to offer.”
Another warning I’m not sure how to process. Is this his way of giving me an out? A scare tactic to get me to turn around and run back home? What he doesn’t know is how bad I want this—him. He’s no stranger to sex or provocative women. I’ve heard him and my dad talk late at night after a few too many pours. The real question is: can I handle what he’s offering?
“Don’t think so hard, you may convince yourself—”
“Show me. This stuff doesn’t intimidate me. I’ve heard you and my dad talk. I know what I’m in for.”
His brow perks up, his curious smile now deadly. “Have you now?” I’m in deep shit. There’s no way my face matches the words spewing from my mouth. My palms become sweaty, and I’ve since stopped breathing. My stomach knots, and I’m suddenly in fear of passing out.
“Hey now,” he reaches for me, “can’t have my student losing consciousness on me. Let’s get you a drink. I have a feeling you’ll need it.” Taking my hand, he tucks me close to his side as we walk through the club. I move closer to him, and his hand squeezes mine for comfort as he walks down an empty hallway.
“Where are we going?”
“To a more secluded part of the club. One where discretion is needed.”
I say no more as we enter a small elevator that takes us to the bottom floor. When we exit, we’re met by a man just as attractive as Gabriel.
“Gabe, how are you?” He shakes his hand, then eyes me.
“Splendid. Damien, this is Hazel, my guest for the evening.” Damien’s smile is telling. As if he already knows me. “I expect your impeccable discretion this evening.”
Damien gives me a once over, his eyes glimmering with humor. “As always. Enjoy your evening. Pleasure making your acquaintance, Hazel.” Then he’s gone, disappearing into the elevator.
“Who was that guy?” I ask.
“Damien. He owns the club.”
“Why did he look at me like he knew me?”
Gabriel takes my hand and walks us down another hall. “Because he knows your father.”
That causes me to stumble. “Wait—my dad comes here?” My dad is into sex clubs? What the…?
“Ah, you already know too much.” He stops to face me. “I’ll warn you now, Hazel, there’s no turning back from this. Whatever you see, wherever this takes you—your father cannot know. You want this? After tonight, your loyalty is to me. Can you handle that?”
“I want this. I won’t say a word.”
He waits to see if I’ll change my mind. When I remain resolute, he nods and reaches for the knob on the door in front of us. My nerves spike as