Leo continued walking through the main area and into one of the private rooms where Shay’s gaze couldn’t tickle the back of his neck.

Motherfucker.

This wasn’t what he’d expected. She was meant to run, to glare at him in disgust, call him a perverted asshole and vow to never come down here again. Instead, she was still a sassy-mouthed viper and the lust in her eyes hadn’t dulled. She was shocked as hell, that much was clear, but she hadn’t fled. And now he didn’t know what to do.

This was a first for him. Every woman he’d introduced to this part of himself had done a runner. Whether he brought it up in conversation to prepare them, or they made the entire journey to the club door, they all ended up fleeing from his life. Yet, Shay had stuck around, remaining true to her typical reaction to shock—hitting him with a healthy barrage of sarcasm.

Maybe he’d misjudged her. Or maybe she was too proud to admit defeat after stamping her foot and demanding to work down here. Either way, he’d come further than he had with any other woman he’d cared about. He should be relieved, shouldn’t he?

“Leo?”

He blinked the half-empty room into focus and smiled at the leggy blonde sauntering toward him. Curvy, with deep-brown eyes and flawless skin, Pamela was a sight to behold. Yet, she was the anomaly in their environment. For an attractive woman, she was shy, apprehensive and didn’t like showing off the assets hidden under her shiny red corset and panties. In fact, he’d never seen her participate at all. Like T.J., she only ever watched.

“Are you playing tonight?” She came up beside him, her eyes weary.

“No, sweetheart.” He couldn’t play. Not with the image of Shay still firmly plastered in the forefront of his mind. “But have fun without me.”

She lowered her gaze, nodded and began to slink away.

“Pamela? You okay?”

She paused, glancing over her shoulder with watery eyes.

“Pamela?”

“I’m just frustrated,” she murmured. “I want to join in.”

He bridged the distance between them in two steps and cupped her upper arms with an encouraging smile. “Then go for it.”

“It’s not that easy. I haven’t been with a man since my husband died.”

Husband? Leo jerked back. The beauty couldn’t be older than twenty-eight. How the hell was she a widow?

“Don’t look at me like that.” She gave a half-hearted chuckle. “It happened almost two years ago, but I haven’t been able to convince myself to…” she shrugged, “…get back on the horse.” Her eyes twinkled and a soft grin tilted her lips. “Could you help me?”

Shit. Talk about insensitive. He had no idea what to say. Shay had rattled him. “What do you need?”

“Guidance.” She looked at him with hope. “I know you don’t want to play, but could you get me started with someone? Maybe stand beside me and give directions. My husband was very…” she paused, biting her lip, “…instructive. I loved how he took control.”

Leo scrubbed a hand over his jaw, trying to wipe Shay from his mind. Tonight was getting more complicated by the minute. “Of course.” He scoped the small room, looking for an unoccupied guy. Two hetro couples were in the darkened far corner, the male positioned over his partner, giving her a massage. His hands were on her back while he ground his pelvis against her naked ass. The other couple sat on a leather sofa, murmuring words between slow kisses.

“Give me a sec.” He strode from the room, unable to stop his focus from wandering to Shay. She was talking to Travis, a grin plastered across her beautiful face. When her gaze found his, he glanced away, finding what he needed on the chaise to the left of the doorway.

“Jack,” he barked.

The guy continued to stroke his cock as he dragged his attention from the two men pleasuring a chesty blonde in the sex swing. “Yeah?”

“I need a little help in here.”

“Sure thing.” Jack stood, unabashed by his nudity or the stiff dick in his hand.

Leo jerked a thumb in Pamela’s direction and waited for the man to pass before he chanced another glance at Shay. Shit. Their gazes collided and her brow furrowed in a silent question. Great. Exactly what he needed—an inquisitive, sassy wench. He ignored her and turned on his heel, making sure the frustration was hidden from his expression when he reached Pamela’s side.

“What’s up?” Jack asked.

Leo cleared his throat to stop a smart retort and gestured to Pamela. “I want you to help me with this beautiful lady.”

Pamela’s cheeks turned a darker shade of pink.

“It’d be my pleasure. What do you need me to do?”

Leo waved a lazy hand at the bed to their right. “Kneel on the mattress and go with the flow.”

Jack did as instructed, surveying his upcoming conquest with hungry eyes.

“Do you have any rules?” Leo swung to Pamela.

Although members did have paddles, nipple clamps, restraints and floggers at their disposal, this wasn’t a BDSM club. Safe words weren’t a necessity. However, Leo respected everyone’s limits and wanted Pamela’s first step back into the world of pleasure to be enjoyable.

She tore her focus from the bed and met Leo’s gaze. “No kissing on the mouth. I’m not ready for that.”

“No problem,” Jack replied. “We’ll do whatever you’re comfortable with, and don’t be scared to stop at any time.”

Leo eyed the man, giving him a subtle nod in thanks. Jack had no way of knowing Pamela’s history. Yet, his response was exactly what the club was all about. It wasn’t all hard fucking and fulfillment. It was about growth through experience, finding likeminded people and learning about yourself as well as others. More importantly, it was about respect.

Most people were quick to judge the less-inhibited lifestyle, not taking the time to understand the safety that accompanied a controlled environment. Women didn’t need to be vulnerable and bring a stranger home to experience a one-night stand. Men didn’t have to offend their hook ups when they left in the morning without leaving their number. It was also a place where people like Pamela could feel comfortable taking the first step.

“Lay on the bed, sweetheart,” Leo murmured.

She complied, climbing onto the mattress to rest her head on the pillows.

“I know you asked for direction, but first I want Jack to make you feel good.” Leo focused on the other man. “Go down on her. Use your hands and your mouth to bring her to the brink. Just don’t let her come.”

Pamela whimpered, biting her beautifully straight teeth into her lower lip as she clenched her thighs together.

Jack grinned and shuffled to her side, gently spreading her legs with his large hands. He hooked his fingers under the waistband of her red satin underwear and slowly pulled them down, exposing the clean-shaven pussy beneath. “You’re gorgeous.” His gaze was riveted as he placed the material beside him on the mattress.

She was. Blushing with a lustful glow, her breasts heaving against the tightly strung corset, Pamela was a sight, one he hoped her deceased husband had savored.

Jack lay between her spread knees, his mouth hovering close to her core. “Relax,” he purred, keeping his focus on Pamela as he swiped his tongue out to brush her clit.

She gasped at the first lick, arching her back off the bed.

Fuck.

Tonight was testing Leo on too many levels. He ached to be the one positioned between heavenly thighs, tasting the heady flavor of arousal. He closed his eyes, picturing the image on the bed with two different people. Shay would be against the pillows, her legs parted for his touch, her cream resting on the tip of his tongue. He’d lap at her, delving his fingers into her smooth heat until she started to whimper. Then he’d back off, kissing her thighs, nipping her skin until she begged him to continue, tangling her fingers in his hair, pulling at the strands.

His dick was hard as stone at the thought. Tap, tap, tapping against his zipper, pleading for release. He wanted her. Naked. Now. If he got through the night without a waver in his step from his growing case of blue balls, he’d be fucking surprised.

Pamela’s moan had his eyes opening, and he grinned to find her writhing under Jack’s touch. She clutched the bed sheets, her pelvis raised for more, her sounds increasing with every flick of her lover’s tongue.

“Enough,” Leo ordered, his tone harsher than anticipated.

Jack growled, Pamela whimpered, and they both looked at him with annoyance.

“On your hands and knees, sweetheart.” Leo softened the command. “I want you to take his dick in your mouth.”

Pamela swallowed as she pushed to a seated position and Jack moved to his knees. Her sights were set on the thick erection jutting toward her, a large fist slowly pumping the length.

“Can you…” she turned to Leo and grimaced, “…can you instruct me?”

He inclined his head, his throat too dry to speak. He could still feel the shiver of Shay’s gaze on his skin, could sense her nearby, could almost smell her. His blood rushed with lust and adrenaline, his forehead beaded with sweat. Never had he fought so hard with his self-control. He wanted to stride to the bar, to kiss the sass right out of her and sink his cock into her heat until she screamed.

“T-take.” Fuck. He cleared his throat. “Take the head of his shaft in your mouth.”

His own dick threatened to explode. He could imagine Shay’s lips around his length, her tongue brushing the underside, her delicate hands cupping his balls. Without thought, he stepped forward and palmed the back of Pamela’s head, guiding her, testing her gag reflex as she took Jack to the back of her throat.

With his other hand, he adjusted his erection, trying to make the fucker comfortable when it was hard enough to drill through stone. His breathing grew heavy and his eyes rolled to the back of his head as he listened to the suction of her mouth.

Jack began to groan with each gently guided stroke, and the pressure increased to breaking point in Leo’s sac. He released his grip, fumbling back as he opened his eyes.

“Are you all right if Jack takes it from here?” he asked. Guilt built in his chest, but unless he got out of this room, away from sex and the temptation of Shay, he was going to make a fool of himself.

Pamela released the cock in her mouth with a pop. “Yes.” The word was breathy, her smile genuine.

Thank fuck. He stroked her loose hair behind her ear, letting the sense of achievement dilute some of his lust. “If you need anything, find me.”

She nodded as Jack’s hand raked through her hair, his palm guiding her mouth back to his cock.

Leo spun around, eager to flee from the potent scent of sex, and found Shay leaning against the doorframe. His cock jerked. His heart stopped. She stood with her chin raised, her jaw tense, her brows pulled together, with her arms crossed over her chest.

You are fucking kidding me.

She had pissed off written all over her face, and although he was thankful her blatant jealousy made his dick wilt, he didn’t need her to cause a scene. Downstairs was low drama. Anyone who caused trouble was booted without a second thought and never allowed re-entry. He didn’t want that to happen to Shay, because there was no way T.J. or Brute would allow him to make an exception for her behavior. No matter how much they all liked her. The trust of their patrons was paramount.

As he approached, she parted her lips and he shook his head in warning. “Think before you speak, Shay.”

She narrowed her eyes and pushed from the doorframe, straightening. “I only wanted to ask a question,” she cooed, her tone sweet yet full of menace. “Is that all right?”

“Sure,” he muttered.

The need to slam her against the wall, cup her cheeks and kiss the look of defiance off her face was cloying. He wanted to fist her hair, to pull her head back and make sure she knew who was in control down here.

“I was just wondering what job description you file on your tax return,” she spoke softly. “Before tonight, I would’ve considered you a businessman, but after watching your little show, you could also be defined as a pim—”

He grabbed her wrist and yanked her to his side, his eyes burning with anger. “Finish that sentence and we’re done.” His nostrils flared, his chest pounded, and through it all, he wished she would see past her misconceptions and understand him for who he was.

This was the reason why he hadn’t wanted her down here. This was why he’d fought hard to have another staff member take over the vacant shift. He didn’t care what any of the other upstairs bartenders thought of him. But with Shay, it was different.

“Don’t you dare judge me,” he ground out.

Her eyes glinted as he continued to hold her wrist. He could feel her pain, understand her sense of betrayal, yet there was no future for her at Shot of Sin if she didn’t get over it.

“This is who I am,” he grated. “I don’t need your judgment. If you don’t like it, you know where the fucking door is.”

Her forehead creased into a mass of wrinkles and her bottom lip quavered. He lessened his grip as she fought for control, raised her chin and took a deep breath. She yanked her arm free, gave him one last tortured look and then stormed away, heading for the bar.

Goddamn it.

“And that’s why I’m single,” he muttered, shaking his head as he made his way to the next private room.