An hour later, Shay was still sulking. She knew it. Travis knew it. And wherever Leo was, he knew it too. She wasn’t to blame though. Drooling over a man for months and then finding him doing whatever the hell he was doing was reason for any heart-fractured woman to lose a little composure. Well…a lot of composure. She still winced every time she ran the conversation over in her mind. The look on Leo’s face when she almost called him a pimp would haunt her for a damn long time.

She hadn’t meant to be such a bitch. Her emotions were out of control. He’d walked into view, demanded a naked and fully aroused man follow him into one of the rooms, and her curiosity had been piqued. Along with her jealousy.

With growing dread and an unhealthy amount of unencouraged arousal, she’d watched him from the doorway. Her heart had pounded like unforgiving thunder as he’d focused on another woman’s pussy. Her eyes had burned from the erection straining against his zipper. But it was the way he gently cradled the woman’s head, guiding her with adoration as she deep throated another guy that made her throat painfully tight.

Shay’s confidence had dwindled with every one of Leo’s heavy inhalations until she’d been a mass of mental insults. Why was this woman able to gain his attention when Shay had only been able to keep it for mere moments? Maybe her breasts weren’t big enough. Maybe she was too short or made herself appear too eager. Damn him. Whatever it was, she had to get over herself. No man had the right to make her feel worthless.

Fuck that.

After next weekend, she would gladly take her position behind the upstairs main bar, tail between her legs, and never shamelessly flirt with him again. Curiosity had not only killed the cat, it had slaughtered the optimistic anticipation in her pussy, too.

“How you doing?” Travis turned his back to the room and resting against the counter.

She shrugged. Anger had made it easier to get over the shock of what was happening in the room. The blood rushing through her ears dimmed the animalistic sounds of sex, and the constant slow stream of drink requests kept her busy. Still, all she could think about was Leo and what was going through his mind.

“I’m okay.” She jerked her chin to the left. “The guy in the corner is freaking me out a little, though.”

Travis peered over his shoulder to the man seated on a black chaise. The stranger had been staring at her on and off for the last hour. Every time she glanced up, his gaze was focused on her, his hand on his boxer-covered erection.

Travis turned back to her. “I can get Leo to make him stop.”

“No.” She shook her head. God, no.

All she wanted was to get through the remainder of her shift without seeing her boss at all. She owed him an apology, but she wasn’t in the right mood to give it at the moment. “It’s fine. I noticed another woman doing the exact same thing to you earlier. If it’s normal, I can deal.” At least for the next hour until her shift was over, then she’d go home, scrub her skin until she no longer felt dirty and drown her sorrows with chocolate.

The tops of Travis’s cheeks darkened.

“Are you blushing?” She grinned.

“That was Melissa.” He broke eye contact, busying himself with wiping down the already clean counter. “She gets off on people watching her get off.”

And he loves it.

“But I’m used to it,” he added. “If that guy makes you feel uncomfortable, just say so.”

She shook her head dismissively and glanced past the man in the corner one more time. No matter how ripped the guy’s abs were or how sexy his jaw line, he still made her skin crawl. Only dealing with Leo wasn’t an option. She’d have to ignore the sleazy masturbation stare.

“So give me a rundown of the rules.” She needed a distraction. “How does someone get access to this part of the club? And why do I rarely see people entering from upstairs?”

“There’s a long list of rules.” Travis threw his dishcloth into the sink and moved to lean against the counter beside her. “The club isn’t advertised. It runs merely on word of mouth and is only open on Saturday nights. Anyone who wants to attend has to pass guidelines set by T.J., Leo, and Brute.”

“Guidelines?”

“Haven’t you noticed that most of the guys are ripped?”

Shay frowned and scanned the patrons. He was right. There wasn’t an overweight man in sight. They were all reasonably athletic, some more so than others.

“Men have to be to a certain standard—physically fit, no love handles. I think there’s even a rule on chest and back hair.”

“And how is it policed? They walk through the club, bare their chest and can’t get access if they’re too hairy or overweight?”

Travis chuckled. “An application has to be submitted via email every time someone wants to join the fun. Men have to attach an image of themselves in nothing but their underwear. And women have to provide a headshot. If they don’t fit the criteria, they don’t gain entry, and if the photos they send are bogus, either the security guards will turn them away at the door, or whoever is on duty down here will have a quiet word with them.”

“And what’s with the different standards?” Shay was all for women’s rights, but most of the females down here weren’t held to the same standard as the men. There were a lot of curves and full breasts jiggling around. “How come women don’t have to meet the same criteria?”

“Would you fuck a fat and hairy guy?”

Shay winced. “I guess I never really thought about it.” She wasn’t into hairy men, but if Wolverine found his way into her bed, she sure as shit wouldn’t kick him out. Yet, she had to admit, she’d never been with a man with weight issues.

“See? Women are more selective than men. Everyone pays a hefty price to enter the doors. So, Brute vets applications and selects guests based on who is more likely to interact better with others. Guys tend to want to get naked with any woman with a good dose of confidence and sexuality, no matter what size, shape or color.”

Travis grabbed a tall glass from the dishwasher rack, scooped in some ice and filled it with water from the soda dispenser. “We have couples’ night, where most attendants are in a long-term relationship but want to play with other likeminded couples. Ladies’ night has a ratio sixty-percent female, to forty-percent male, and vice-versa for people looking for more man action.”

Shay’s mind buzzed from the onslaught of debauchery. “Wow. I’m blown away, not only at being in a fully functioning sex club, but the amount of detail the guys have put into it.”

Travis smirked. “Blown away?”

She rolled her eyes at the innuendo and nudged his shoulder. “I guess I had that one coming to me.”

He snorted, showing a dazzling smile. He was an attractive guy, clean shaven, nice build, light-green eyes against his smooth, dark skin. No wonder women stared at him while they rowed the boat. He was capable of inspiring scream-worthy orgasms from his looks alone.

“Do you ever play?” She broke eye contact as the question fell like a stone between them. It wasn’t a pickup line, yet it sounded like it once the words left her lips.

“The more you work down here, the more open-minded you become. I suppose it’s only natural that staff are allowed to participate on their nights off, or after the last call for drinks.”

“You didn’t answer my question.” She gave his shoulder another nudge.

“Oh, you noticed that, did you?” He placed the glass of water against his lips and slowly sipped.

Hint taken. “How about the owners? Do the same rules apply for T.J. and Brute?” And Leo, she added silently.

The jealousy from earlier hadn’t faded. She still pictured the man of her dreams caressing another woman, staring at her longingly. Please tell me management have their own set of rules where they can’t participate.

“Do you really want to hear the answer?” He placed his glass on the counter and looked her in the eye. “You’ve got a thing for Leo.”

It wasn’t a question, so she didn’t bother answering.

“He’s active, Shay.” His eyes softened as he spoke. “They all spend a lot of time down here.”

Damn.

That hurt more than she’d anticipated. She nodded, breaking eye contact. It was over then—her infatuation, the flirting, the heart-fluttering moments she always hoped would turn into something more.

As if called from her thoughts, Leo appeared at the doorway of one of the rooms. His gaze sought hers, and before she could look away, he broke the connection and moved into the next room.

Shit.

She didn’t even have the upper hand with glance-aways. This sucked…harder than the woman in the corner making slurping sounds around a bodybuilder’s cock.

She couldn’t stop the throbbing ache in her chest from intensifying. It hurt to think of him with other women. Not only because she was jealous, but because she genuinely liked him. Leo was a great guy, sex-club tendencies or not. He held a certain charm she’d never seen before. She’d even go as far to say he was a true gentleman under the layers of arrogance, stubbornness and the inability to believe he was ever wrong.

Shay was thankful when a guy wearing silk boxers sidled up to the bar, dispersing her pity party. With a silent jut of his chin to Travis, he turned his back and concentrated on the threesome taking place in front of the mega porn screen.

“He’s a regular,” Travis murmured. “He’ll probably be here next week. Always orders bourbon on the rocks.”

She acknowledged the drink with a nod, but her gaze kept drifting back to the room Leo had entered. Her insides were being torn apart, one side of her wanting to know what he was doing, the other not willing to find out.

“Where’s the bathroom,” she spoke above a whisper. She needed a live-porn breather, to get the sounds, the scent and the images out of her mind. At least for a little while.

“First door to the left.” He pointed a lazy hand to one of the open doorways. “At the end of the room, there are female and male amenities with showers and anything else you or any of the patrons should need.”

Shay frowned. What the hell did that mean? “Okay. I’ll be back in a minute.”

“You should call it a night.” Travis slid the drink along the bar to silk-boxers guy, and met her gaze. “You’re starting to look pale, and your shift is almost over anyway. Go home and regroup before next weekend.”

Shay let out a sigh. The guy she liked was a deviant, she didn’t know how she could continue working at the job she loved, and now she apparently looked like shit. “Yeah. I might do that.” She continued to the first room on the left, staring at her toes, concentrating on each footstep so she didn’t falter and draw unwanted attention.

When she reached the doorway, a shiver of apprehension ran over her skin. This room was quiet, no orgasmic banshee calls or heated moans, just the faint sound of a female giggle and the deep murmurings of more than one male.

Curiosity grabbed hold of her ovaries and held tight until she raised her gaze to the three people on the lone bed in the room. Comfy-looking sofas and ottomans lined the walls, but the main focal point was the bed, illuminated by tiny lights in the ceiling. A curvy blonde reclined in the center, her face bright with a beautiful smile, her body entirely naked, her thighs slightly parted to expose her smooth sex.

A man lay on her right, propped on one elbow, his gaze focused on the woman with adoration while he idly drew trails around the smooth skin of her hip with his fingers. On her left lay another, his head bowed to her chest. It wasn’t until Shay took another step that she could see him placing delicate kisses around the side of the woman’s breast.

Shay held her breath, overcome with an emotion she couldn’t pinpoint. Envy? Distaste? The scene before her was mesmerizing. The gentle way the men paid attention to the beaming woman. The way their cocks stood hard as stone, yet they weren’t rutting on their prize like a dog in heat. It seemed almost romantic… In a sex club? Holy fuck, Shay was confused.

“Hey.” The man facing her greeted with a genuine smile.

The connection was enough to make her footsteps falter. “Ah. Hi.”

She wasn’t familiar with the protocol of sex-club conversation. What was she supposed to say? How’s it hanging…when clearly it wasn’t hanging at all.

She lowered her gaze with a frown and increased her pace to the bathroom. Once inside, she pushed the door shut and leaned against the wall beside it, breathing deep to control her anxiety.

This was ridiculous. She was a strong, self-assured, grown woman. Not a fumbling, blubbering mess. This shit had to stop. Only she didn’t know how to curb the unfamiliar flutter of butterflies in her belly, or shake the sordid thoughts in her mind.

Going back to her main bar job and acting normal was going to require an Oscar-winning performance. She wouldn’t be able to look T.J., Brute or Leo in the eye again. Not without picturing them entangled in a mass orgy of beautiful people. And it pissed her off even more when her pussy began to tingle at the image.

She usually owned her sexuality. Getting herself off wasn’t something she was embarrassed about. She had toys, watched porn and had the occasional one-night stand. But this…a sex club, was way beyond her depths. Travis was right. Going home early was the best option.

And what the hell was on the vanity? She straightened and made her way to the basin, ignoring her reflection in the mirror. Along the ceramic counter stood a myriad of deodorant bottles, all different brands placed neatly in a line. Beside them were bath towels, plush and dark with some already discarded in the thick wicker basket beside the vanity. In front of the towels was a laminated list of rules taped to the counter. Her management trio really had thought of everything. The page listed privacy requirements, the need for regular STD checks, instructions on washing after every play session, right down to the necessity to place condoms on sex toys before use.

She groaned, reaffirmed in her decision to leave. Her brain was fried, and every compiling aspect made her overreact. She turned, about to flee, when the door swooshed open and the attractive blonde from the bed walked in.

“Are you all right?” The woman stood before Shay with a whole heap of exposed tits and pussy.

With no control to stop it, Shay’s gaze raked the woman’s body, over the hardened nipples, the glint of jewelry in her navel, the crevices of bare vagina, to the smooth thighs and finally her dark painted toe nails.

Awkward. Stare at those toes. Do not take your focus away from those fucking toes.

“Umm.” Shay cleared her throat. “I’m fine.”

“Do you mind handing me a towel?”

Shay was thankful for the excuse to turn her back, and gave the woman what she wanted.

“Is that better?”

Shay raised her gaze to the woman now covered in the large towel, feeling a slight reprieve to the massive case of holy-fuck-get-me-out-of-here. “Thanks,” she murmured, ignoring the heat climbing up her neck.

“Now tell me what’s really wrong.”

Shay frowned.

“Come on.” The woman strolled past her and jumped to sit on the vanity counter. “Spill. You look like you’re caught between disgust and shock.”

Ouch. “Is it that obvious?”

The woman nodded. “Kinda. I’ve been around the club for a while. I’ve seen a lot of virgins walk through the doors.”

“Oh, I’m no virgin.” Shay shook her head. The situation continued to worsen. Not only was her distaste evident, but she was acting so childish people thought she was pure.

“Sex-club virgin, honey.” She chuckled. “It’s nothing to worry about. You just look out of place.”

The clarification didn’t help. “I don’t think I’m cut out for this type of scene. Even as a working environment.”

“Why are you apprehensive?”

Shay didn’t know where to start. The list in her mind seemed a mile long and it was all exacerbated because the man she liked was a participant and the owner. “It’s…so…” She shrugged. She didn’t know this woman, and she certainly didn’t want to offend her any more than she probably already had.

“Would it help if I told you why I come here?”

The woman focused on Shay with genuine concern, like they were best friends trying to get through a challenging situation. There was no reason for it, but Shay felt a slight connection to the woman’s sincerity. Maybe it was because she wanted to cling to the only person who didn’t currently have exposed assets.

“I guess.”

“I’m single.” The woman grinned, as if her status was a badge of honor. “I work. Hard. Every damn day, and at the end of the week, I want someone to snuggle up to. My job doesn’t give me time to date, and I don’t really want that drama in my life at the moment. But what I do want is a little attention every now and then.”

The woman paused, waiting for a reaction. Shay could only nod in acknowledgement.

“I love sex.” The woman’s smile widened. “However, men can be selfish assholes.”

Shay released a soft chuckle. “You’re preaching to the choir.”

“I guess it’s hard to explain. And I suppose, even harder for an outsider to understand. But down here, it’s like family.” The woman cringed. “Wow. That came out wrong.”

Shay snorted with delirium and came to rest against the vanity, listening intently.

“Everyone down here wants sex. And I guess, because we are all somewhat assured of getting what we crave, people are more giving. The guys…” her eyes glittered, “…they are ah-may-zing. If you say no they immediately back off. There are no questions, no recriminations, no judgments.”

It sounded amazing, in theory. “But don’t you feel weird having a crowd of people watch you?”

“Have you ever been watched?” The woman raised a brow. “Have you ever fantasized about someone watching you?”

“Maybe.” Shay shrugged and felt the heat crawl back up her neck when the woman grinned.

“It’s a rush. And most of all, for me, it’s uplifting. Knowing another man, or woman, is aroused because of what you’re doing.” The woman crossed her legs, making the towel rise up her thighs. “Security is also a big bonus. I come here knowing I won’t be assaulted or abused. I don’t have to seduce men and risk my safety by leaving a public place with them or taking them back to my home, which is secluded and would make me vulnerable. For me, there’s no other option, until I want to settle down and focus on finding a husband.”

Shay broke eye contact and stared at the polished tiled floor. It made sense. Picking up men involved risk and wasn’t usually worth the effort.

“I’m Zoe by the way.”

“Shay.”

“Well, Shay, I know you’re down here as a staff member, not a participant, but try and look at the club without reservations. Imagine what it would be like if two guys were smothering you with affection, their sole focus on your pleasure.”

The fantasy heated her nipples and she crossed her arms over her chest in frustration. “I’m not looking for more than one partner.”

“That’s understandable. And I bet you already have someone in mind.” Zoe quirked her sultry lips. “Rumors are already spreading about Leo commanding you aren’t to be touched. He’s a great guy. You’d be a lucky woman if you gained his long-term interest.”

No luck there. Shay was far from gaining his interest.

“He’s a sexual man, though. You’d need to get over your inhibitions.”

Shay released a heavy breath, unsure if getting over her inhibitions was an option. Or even worth it. From Leo, she wanted love. And it didn’t seem possible to establish a relationship in this environment.

A loud bang sounded on the door and Shay startled. “Shit.”

“Shay, are you in there?” Leo’s voice boomed from outside the bathroom.

“Wow.” Zoe pushed off the counter. “The boss sounds like he’s going caveman on your ass. Do you really want to miss the opportunity to have all that raw masculinity to yourself?”

“But that’s just it—” She wanted to discuss her issues concerning monogamy but another loud knock cut her off.

“Shay.”

“I’ll leave you to it.” Zoe unwrapped the towel from around her body and placed it in the wicker basket. “I have two very lovely men to get back to.”

Shay straightened and had to stop herself from begging the woman not to leave. She didn’t want to be left alone with Leo. So far tonight, all they’d done was argue. She wanted to go back to the flirting and fun, the innuendo and batting eyelashes, and forget this discovery had ever been made.

Instead, she swallowed the nausea creeping up her throat and rubbed at the rampant butterflies in her belly. “Thank you.”

“No problem, honey. Come find me if you ever have any questions.”

Shay gripped the counter behind her, oblivious to the naked curves strutting from the bathroom, and focused on the man who reached to hold open the door. She’d never seen Leo so furious. His eyes were narrowed slits, his jaw tight, his hands clenched in fists at his side while wild strands of hair shadowed his features.

“What’s going on?” His harsh tone hit harder than the current glare he fixed her with.

She could understand his aggression. She’d insulted him earlier and it would take more than a few hours for him to get over it. An apology was necessary. She just couldn’t find the strength to say it. Not tonight. Not when her heart was bleeding and her temples throbbing.

“I’m going to the bathroom.” She pulled a face. Duh.

“Cut the crap, Shay. You’ve been in here for fifteen minutes.” He strode inside the women’s bathroom like his shit was red hot and let the door fall closed behind him. “Are you capable of working the bar next weekend or not?”

She straightened, taking his question as a fresh insult to her capabilities. “Of course I am. You know that.”

“Do I? You made it clear you don’t approve of the scene. I don’t want you spreading hate toward the patrons. They pay good money to be here.”

Fuck you.

She returned his glare. “I’d never do that.” And besides, she didn’t have hate to spread. Every passing minute made her realize her aversion was from being clueless about the lifestyle. For singles, it seemed like the perfect way to have fun. She didn’t know if she’d ever try it herself or understand the reasons why someone in a committed relationship would join, but her horizons were inching a tiny bit wider.

“Really?” He shrugged. “I guess I don’t know what to expect from you anymore.”

“From me? Are you kidding?” She raised her voice. “You blindsided me, remember? You knew I had feelings for you, and you strung me along like a lost puppy. And all this time I never had a chance.”

“Because I knew you’d act like this,” he snarled. “This is who I am, Shay, and I knew you’d never want a part of it.” He stepped forward, closing in on her. “I didn’t lead you on. I tried my fucking hardest to stay away. Do you think I haven’t imagined spreading your thighs a thousand damn times since you started working here? Or wondered what it would be like if you enjoyed the club scene. I’ve been living in my own private hell, unable to stop you from dragging me round by the dick.”

His angered breaths brushed her lips as her mouth dried.

“You never gave me a chance.” She swallowed over the gravel in her throat. He didn’t have the right to make assumptions about her sexuality, just like she hadn’t had the right to insult him earlier.

“I did.” His voice lowered to a whisper. “Months ago, when I touched you in the storeroom.”

Shay narrowed her gaze on his ocean eyes. “I don’t understand.”

“I was testing you. Once and for all, I needed to know how you reacted to sex. If you’d be open-minded enough to try things out of your comfort zone. Yet, even in the privacy of a storeroom, you acted shocked and distraught at what we’d done.”

No. Fucking. Way. She blinked at him, not sure whether to set him straight or claw his eyes out. “I wasn’t distraught.”

She’d been shocked, yes, because it was the first time a guy had unselfishly pleasured her. Usually, she was the one giving sexual favors without her own gratification. She’d been flustered, trying to hide her growing infatuation and adoration because he’d treated her the way she’d always wanted to be treated. In that moment, her feelings had passed the point of infatuation and she’d struggled to disguise it.

“You should’ve given me the opportunity to make my own decisions.” She stepped to the side, needing space from his cloying dominance. “I might have tried.”

He bridged the gap between them, hovering over her. “Prove it.”

“Prove what?” She shuddered, trying to ignore the throb beginning to pulse in her pussy.

He took another step, backing her into the counter, bringing them thigh to thigh. “That you’d try.” His gaze was bleak as he pressed the hardness of his erection against her abdomen. “Try for me. Now,” he whispered.

She shook her head. Not tonight. Not when her heart was barely beating and her mind couldn’t control her rampant thoughts. He didn’t deserve it. Nor did she. No matter how much her pussy throbbed in encouragement. “No.”

Slowly, he leaned forward, his light dusting of stubble brushing her cheek. She shivered, her thoughts and body swaying as he murmured in her ear.

“Your lips say no, but your body says otherwise. Which is it?”

She closed her eyes, unable to decide, unable to breathe. She ran her hand around his neck for grounding and prayed the right choice would hurry up and make itself known. All she’d ever wanted was his attention, his desire, but the timing and her insecurities were tainting the X-rated fairytale she’d imagined.

“Shay.” Her name was a whisper against her neck as he brought one of his hands to rest on the counter, the other on her hip, and then slowly moved upward. “Please don’t torture me.”

Him?

He’d been endlessly tormenting her for longer than she could remember. “I don’t know what to do.”

Her body was on fire, her nipples hard, her sex fluttering. But people were on the other side of that door. Naked people. Anyone could walk in. Anyone could see them and think their intimacy was a show to be watched. Did that matter? Right now, she had no fucking clue. The heat of his body made it hard to rationalize.

He parted her legs with his knee and ground the hardness of his thigh against her mound. Her sex creamed in response, bursting to life in a mass of tingles. Damn her treacherous body.

A whimper escaped her throat and she clung tighter to his neck. She wanted him so much it hurt, but she didn’t want to hate herself afterward. If she did this, it needed to be for the right reasons. And all of her had to be onboard—mind, body and soul. Not just her pussy.

“I can’t.” She released him and placed her hands against his chest. “I need more time.”

He stiffened, killing her slowly in the following silent seconds. “Okay.” He stepped back, keeping his focus lowered. The hard length of his erection strained against the crotch of his pants, and it suddenly hit her that he might go elsewhere for relief.

“It’s almost time for you to knock off anyway. You may as well go home and get the extra sleep.”

Alarm bells rang in her ears. His instant dismissal only exacerbated her theory of him taking another woman. Her stomach nose-dived, freefalling while she silently sucked in a deep breath. The distress must have been written on her face, because when he glanced up, his features softened.

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“But you will, right?” she choked. “I’ll drive away the same moment you drive your dick into someone else.”

She instantly regretted the words, even before the look of loathing crossed his face. Calm under pressure, she was not.

“I’m not a fucking animal,” he spoke through clenched teeth and spun away from her, heading for the door. “Go home, Shay.”