“Where is she?” Eriq groused.
After Quin left the booth, Eriq had to take care of a few things. Lost in his own mind out of concern for his brother, he had gotten up and left the bar to deal with Quin’s plans for the evening.
When he returned to the booth to retrieve Sofia, someone else was sitting there. Eriq didn’t know at what point she departed. Pissed with himself, he went to Amelia to track down his Kitten. He’d found her at the hostess’ station.
Amelia tapped her fingernails on the podium, trying to figure out Eriq’s deal.
“Does it matter where she is?” she asked him.
“Yes,” he bit out, getting upset.
“Why?”
“Because.”
Amelia laughed and Eriq ran his palms up and down his sideburns. It was a nervous habit he hadn’t done since he first hit puberty.
“She was acting out of sorts. I gave her a key to a room. Before you ask which room, tell me why you want to know.”
Eriq put his hands on his hips and lowered his head.
“I just … I want to check on her. That’s all.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“Damnit, Amelia.”
“Before you go storming off to do who-knows-what with my pseudo-niece, you might want to answer the question. Not for me, but for yourself.”
Eriq bobbed his head. She was right.
“She’s in the Red Room.”
Fuck. He loved that room. Whatever. He was just going to check on her. That’s all. He was still the club’s Dom. Technically, he was still on the clock.
Speaking of, he needed to tie up some loose ends with his big bro.
“You should be aware that Quin has signed-up for tonight’s Vendita di Innocenza.”
It was a virginity auction and so far out of Quin’s orbit Eriq was shocked he’d want to go. Hell, it might be good for his brother, so he’d refrained from talking him out of it.
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope.”
“Well, alright. We’ll see how it goes. You know there’s a succubus up for auction, right?”
“Yep.”
“Does your brother know?”
“Nope.”
Amelia sighed. “I’m sure it will be fine. Just make sure you answer your cell if I call, got it?”
“Of course,” he reassured her.
He’d come running if Quin needed him. His brother had a huge hang-up when it came to the succubi species. He might not react well to the pretty redhead who volunteered tonight.
The auction wasn’t until 8:00, so Eriq had time to go deal with Sofia. Maybe fondle her, kiss her. Fuck her.
No, he shouldn’t fuck her. If he got her into bed, he wouldn’t want to leave. He checked his watch, realizing he was wasting precious minutes.
“I’ll see you later Amelia.”
“Good luck, Eriq.”
Eriq shook his head, already moving towards the stairs.
“Oh, and Eriq?”
“Yeah?”
“She’s not alone.”
Eriq’s toe hit the first step and he stumbled, catching himself on the railing. He scowled.
“What do you mean she’s not alone?”
“You told Lucy to finish with Adam. Adam wanted to finish with Sofia. I told him it was fine, as long as it was what Sofia wanted. Adam and Lucy went to knock on Sofia’s door a good ten or fifteen minutes ago.”
Godsdamnit! Ten minutes. Bodies could be naked, and Tab A inserted into Slot B, in less time.
He’d been fine—mostly—when Adam was touching Sofia in the bar. Eriq had orchestrated it, was in control of Sofia’s pleasure.
Thinking some other Dominant was controlling her body was swiftly turning Eriq into a fucking headcase. He didn’t know why, but he had to be the one who dominated her, who sated her hunger for the first time.
He shouldn’t have teased her. He should have impaled her on his hard knob when they were in Barbados. If Eriq had, she wouldn’t be desperate for another Dominant. She would have finally known what it was to be owned, at least for a moment.
Eriq ran up the stairs and down the hall to the Red Room. It was called the Red Room because of the décor, not because of any kinky shit inside. Though, there was some kinky equipment inside.
He pictured Sofia tied to one of the chairs, or straddling Adam on the tantra couch. Maybe she was facedown in Lucy while Adam took her from behind.
When he got to the door, he didn’t bother knocking. He turned the handle, but it was locked. Eriq used his telekinesis and disengaged the metal lock.
He pushed hard, and the door slammed into the wall. His eyes flitted around the room, expecting to see one of Adam’s scenes.
Adam and Lucy were here, but what Eriq saw he was not prepared for. He blinked, making sure he wasn’t hallucinating.
The three of them were sitting on the floor around the coffee table in front of the overstuffed couch. They were all completely dressed. Even Adam had thrown on a shirt.
They were staring at Eriq, eyes wide.
Sofia was in a t-shirt and pajama pants, holding cards in her hands. Playing cards. Her jaw was currently hanging open, presumably because of his forced entrance.
“Everything alright, Eriq?” Adam asked.
“What’s going on in here?” Eriq demanded, knowing damned well what wasn’t going on.
He’d been panicked over what indecent act he was going to walk in on. Now he was upset because they were interacting innocently?
It was almost worse that Sofia was spending social time with Adam. Eriq had never lost his shit before, and he was dangerously close to losing it now.
“Cards,” Sofia blurted.
“What?”
“Poker, actually.”
She held up her hand with the cards, as if he needed a visual to understand. He felt stupid. What in the gods names was he doing?
Sofia, sensing Eriq’s discomfort, felt compelled to soothe him. She didn’t know why he barged in as he had, but he wasn’t acting like the self-assured male she knew him to be.
“Come sit with us. I’ll deal you in,” she told him.
“I, uh,” he looked at the door, longing to run through it, maybe purposefully smack his face on the doorjamb on the way out.
He was going to decline, until he looked back at the group and saw Adam staring at Sofia. No way was he leaving her alone with the other Dom.
“Okay, sure. But first, Adam, a word, please.”
Adam rose and met Eriq out in the hall, looking at him questioningly. Eriq never acted like this.
“Everything okay, Boss?” he asked Eriq.
“Yes. I just didn’t expect,” he pointed towards the room, “well, let’s just say I was surprised the three of you weren’t naked.”
Adam snorted.
“Yes, well, it wasn’t what Sofia needed.”
“What do you mean?” Eriq asked.
“Exactly what I said,” he leaned against the wall, observing the subtle changes in Eriq’s stance. He was struggling with the situation.
“Look, Amelia told me to feed Lucy. We came here, thinking to ask Sofia to join us because I had the feeling each of us had been left wanting more earlier. When she answered, it looked like she’d been crying.”
Eriq’s posture sagged. His Koshenya had cried?
“It wasn’t obvious. She’d straightened herself out before answering the door. But I could smell the lingering salt from her tears. It’s my job to read these things. It’s your job, too, Eriq,” Adam chastised.
Eriq didn’t argue. Adam was right. He’d left her alone in the bar. Sofia hadn’t been fully satisfied physically. For hours now, she’d been needy. It would take an emotional toll, especially if she’d felt abandoned.
Damnit. He knew better.
“Fair enough. It won’t happen again.”
Adam nodded.
“Also, Sofia’s now off limits. Understood?” Eriq’s voice hardened.
“Just to me or to everyone at the club?” Adam smirked.
“Shut up. Let’s go play some cards.”