“Good evening, Ladies and Gentleman,” says Amanda, the woman on the stage. She manages the Phoenix location of The Exchange. “I’d like to welcome you to the annual company retreat. We’re happy to have you with us for the annual meeting and party tonight.”
The people in the audience are mostly the club’s best patrons and some of the most desired girls. There are also owners and managers. Everyone claps politely and waits for Amanda to continue.
“I’d like to start off the evening with an exciting announcement. Gavin? Maxim? Isaac? Can you please come up here with me?”
We stand and make our way to the front.
Amanda jokes, “Now it’s the guys’ turn to feel what it’s like to stand up here in front of everyone.”
As we climb the stairs to meet her at the podium, everyone laughs. Looking out at the audience, I start to understand the truth behind the joke. It’s fucking intimidating to be up here in front of so many people.
I squint down into the first row, where Jade is giving me the thumbs up sign. As usual, her presence and enthusiasm calms me. I smile back at her, blinking through the spotlight pointed directly at my eyes.
“These men were all customers at The Exchange,” Amanda begins.
“Some more than others,” Isaac says, elbowing Maxim.
“Hey now,” Maxim says, but he winks.
The three of us, living in completely different cities, have only ever talked on the phone, but it’s plain to see we get along. I think this arrangement is going to work out well.
“In fact, they each met their respective partners at different locations of the Exchange,” Amanda says. “So they happen to have a lot in common. And now they’ll have even more in common. Because these three men have bought partnerships in The Exchange and will be part owners. We welcome them into the ownership of the club.”
Everyone claps, and I can see Jade blowing me kisses from the first row. I wink at her, thinking about how great her pussy tasted just a little bit ago on the plane.
How can one man be so lucky? I wonder.
I was afraid I wouldn’t make it out of the situation with my dad. But I did it for the woman I loved and now here we are, happy together, and richer than our wildest dreams could have imagined.
“I’d also like to announce that The Exchange is expanding into more locations, both domestic and international,” Amanda says, while the crowd cheers even more. “Thanks to the new leadership of these three men, we expect The Exchange to continue to grow significantly.”
I never thought I’d be part owner of a fucking club that auctions off women to rich men. But life rarely happens the way we expect. And The Exchange isn’t the awful place that some people— including Maxim’s dad— make it out to be.
During our phone conversations, Maxim has filled me in on the history with his father. He wanted Isaac and I, his future business partners, to know any possible hang up with this deal. He didn’t want us hearing about it from his fiancée Celeste or someone else, and thinking he would back out.
He assured us that once his dad saw The Exchange as a business opportunity and knew that Maxim wouldn’t be frequenting it as a customer, the idea grew on him. And Maxim also said he’s strong enough to stand up to his father now.
I told him I knew what he meant. The love of a good woman could have that effect on a man.
“And now Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s time to begin the annual company party,” Amanda announces. “Please stand up and either hold onto your belongings or place them to the side of the main aisles,” she instructs.
Everyone does as she instructs although many are confused. As I head back to the front row, Jade asks, “What’s going on?”
“This auditorium is so fancy that the seats disappear into the floor,” Celeste tells her with a smile.
Sure enough, the floor opens up and appears to swallow the chairs, and then folds back down under them.
“Well, would you look at that?” Veronica exclaims.
“This place is great,” Jade says. “I think you should look into upgrading all the locations so that they work like this, now that you three are in charge.”
We all laugh while the music starts up. I take Jade in my arms and say, “Thank you for coming.”
“Of course,” she says.
Then she leans in closer and whispers, “Thank you for making me come. Over and over and over again.”
I wipe a strand of hair away from her mouth as I kiss her and say, “I really mean it. It means so much to me to have your support.”
“Any time, honey,” she says, and kisses me back.
My heartbeat fucking races like a horse’s when I think about the fact that very soon she’s about to find out just how appreciative of her steadfast support I truly am.