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I didn’t know it was possible to nearly swallow one’s own tongue. As I stand here trying not to choke on my reaction to his new barrage of ridiculousness, I remember with clarity those absurd rules. Ididtalk to him. I asked him to come back,soliciting.AndI stuck my fingers through the portal,breaching the barrier. But…what the hell did he care? Clearly, he enjoyed it!

“Yeah, I fucking doubt the club owner will care if we settle our differences outside the club. Cut the crap and just go get the key.”

A soft chuckle has the muscles on his stomach rippling in a way I shouldn’t notice as he brings his glass to his lips. Taking a sip, his eyes twinkle as he looks at me. Shrugging, a coy smile turns up at the corner of his mouth.

“I like to diversify my business holdings. What can I say? My father always said not to put all my eggs into one basket.”

I think something in my brain actually detonates at this point. I’ve gone from not breathing to hyperventilating to fuming all in a matter of ten minutes. Of course, he’s the fucking club owner. I fell right into this trap; hook, line, and sinker.

Clenching my fingers into fists, I try to keep my voice even. “Get it the fuck off me. Right now.”

Setting his drink down, he places his hands on the sideboard and leans back on them. It elongates his torso, showing off every single bit of definition of his muscle tone. As if he couldn’t look more smug, he crosses his long legs at the ankles and smiles.

“I’m glad you’re willing to settle up so quickly. I do appreciate an admirable man who can admit his errors. Failure is only failure if you don’t own up to it.”

This prick. He has a screw loose. I swear. He’s not going to make this easy for me, no matter what I say.

“What do you want?” I grit out each word slowly, so he knows just how unfreely I’m giving my compliance with this bullshit recompense.

There’s that pitying look again. “You were new to the club, so I do sympathize with your predicament. You let your feelings get to you and forgot about the rules, I assume.” A soft laugh. “I was there. I remember how…overpowering our exchange was.”

Fuck him. Fuck…him. Don’t let him goad you, Charlie.

“So…” he sighs, standing up and folding his arms. “How about I make this easy on you, since it was your first violation?”

First?He’s fucking dreaming if he thinks I’m ever going back there.

“You came there for pleasure. I have to say, I still find it irresistibly adorable how particular and private you are, so I don’t think a flogging on one of our group flogging nights would be an appropriate repayment for you.”

Flogging?Groupflogging? Is he fucking serious?

“I’d hate to see that special charm in you I found so precious to be tainted,” he continues like this is some normal everyday conversation or, worse, a fucking business negotiation. “Club life isn’t for everyone. You were brave to try it, and I admire that—a man who goes searching for ways to answer his hunger. So, in light of our…chemistry and your preference for privacy, I think I’ll just ask you for what you came to the club for.” Lifting his hand to his mouth, he whispers conspiratorially, “No need to send a customer away unsatisfied, even if he did manage to break all the rules in one session.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“You wanted to get off, Charlie,” he says casually, walking past me toward the bed. “But you need someone else to do it for you.”

How can he possibly know that? I didn’t tell him. I’ve never told that to a soul.

“Am I wrong?” he asks when I don’t answer.

“I can get off just fine on my own.”

“Hm. I’d like to see that,” he murmurs. “But, let me guess, it’s not quite as fulfilling as when a stranger does it. When another person is involved.”

“Yeah.” I throw my hands up, turning around to face him. “Not at all like most of the other people on the planet. What an enigma I am,” I huff. “Such a punishable offense.”

Chuckling, he reaches into his nightstand drawer and pulls out a hairband. I watch his fingers comb through his long black hair, pulling it into a short ponytail at the back of his head. I have to say I prefer it left loose, but that’s neither here nor there since what I’d really prefer is to have this conversation be over with.

“Not really,” he agrees. “That’s why I think helping you get what you came for will be the most fitting way of settling your debt.” Leaning to the side, he pats the mattress. “I’m ready when you are.”

I gape. Nothing he says should surprise me by now, but he can’t possibly mean what I think he does.

“What?” I scoff.

“I’ll consider your violations cleared if you can give us one little orgasm.”

I laugh. Not a chuckle. Not a scoff, but a full-on belly laugh. And then I laugh some more.