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Chapter1
Juliette
Amask was a heavy burden, especially when it was my only way into New York’s hottest queer BDSM club.
It had taken a good portion of my bus money to get a car to the place.They chose an out-of-the-way, quiet house with an unassuming neighborhood.It’s better for privacy that way.
After all, they catered to some of the most high-level and sensitive people—or at least that was the rumor.
They boasted about how good their privacy and security were in the club, and it did seem that way.I didn’t even get the address to the place until an hour before I was supposed to arrive.
I wouldn’t be surprised if there were some super-secret government officials inside.Or maybe they veered to the moreillegalside of things.
Either way, the promise of privacy was a plus for me.
From the outside, you’d never know the devious things that took place inside.
The cool air brushed across my skin, reminding me that I was just there, motionless, looking up at the place with a wide gaping mouth.Could I make it any more obvious I’d never been here before?I pulled my coat closer, debating whether or not it was a good idea to go in.I still had time.
Maybe I could just turn back.Forget I’d ever come.But that would be a waste of the money I spent to get here.And who knew if the auction was the real deal?Or if anyone would even want me?
I took it all in.The night sky, glittering with stars.The carefully trimmed lawn.The gold gate surrounding the entire property.The house itself reaching high up into the sky, looking more like some rich tycoon’s mansion than a sex club.
There were lights shining from the inside, but they seemed dim.Either that or they had special films to block out any prying eyes.The latter seemed more likely.
There wasn’t anyone outside besides the guard at the door and myself.Only then did I realize he’d been staring at me.Probably as long as I’d been standing there.
Cars were parked on the road leading up to the house, but they were all empty.
What I was here for was all too obvious.If the black studded mask wasn’t enough, then my five-year-old bright-red pumps and lacy black dress would paint the full picture.
I didn’t have anything appropriate to wear to the club—or the funds to purchase it—so I put together what I had and hoped it would be enough.
Hell, if the auction didn’t work out, coming to Club Pétale would be one of the worst financial decisions I made.But for once in my life, I wanted to do something forme.Auction and possible money aside, there was another reason I decided to partake in this auction.I wanted to be selfish.
That’s what this night was for.Me.I had been working too long for other people.For everyone else.But not tonight.
I walked the rest of the way to the entrance with my shoulders back, pausing to look up at the guard with my best smile.
He just stared at me, looking me up and down before motioning for me to try the door.
Phase one: done.
“Thank you,” I said earnestly and pushed open the door.
My jaw dropped at what was inside.The whole place reeked of money and elegance, but in a twisted, sexy way.The large blown-up pictures on the walls of various depraved sexual acts had my skin flushing immediately.And just beyond, the people were dressed—or I should say in various forms ofundress—in sensual blacks, reds, feathers, leather, and everything else you could think of.
There was tasteful music playing in the background and light chatter, but everything was very behaved.Not a rager or a dark dungeon like my spiraling mind had told me it’d be like.
“Holy shit,” I whispered, unable to fully comprehend what I was seeing.Immediately, I felt at home.All the nerves from before melting away.
“It’s great, isn’t it?”
My eyes fell to a girl dressed in an all-red latex suit that went all the way from her neck to her fingers and toes.She had a small mask on her face, her dark hair falling to her waist.
Then I saw the iPad in her hands.
“I don’t know what I imagined, but this is better,” I said, unable to keep the nervous excitement out of my voice.My decision was cemented then.