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“I’m not going to dwell on the intrigue or delve into the human psyche, baby.I think we both know I have enough demons in my closet.I’ve found my person.The rest is just white noise.”
There was a hard bite to his tone that made Bethany frown.“Something wrong?”
“No.Come on, I’ll show you the rest.”His hand slid around her waist and they moved from the balcony, through a short arch into another open space.
This was a chill-out lounge area like nothing she’d ever seen.It was like something from the set of a Tim Burton movie, with six brightly colored chaise longues, and each seat had an indigo place card with a ribbon tied around it.Two rings had been threaded through the ribbon, one for a larger male finger and one for a smaller feminine one.
She picked up the nearest card.“What are these for?”
“They’re… parlor games, if you like.”
Her eyes widened.“How does it work?”
“A question is asked.Everyone involved in the game is given the opportunity to answer their own way.The person who poses the question gets to pick which answer he or she likes the most.And things take off from there.”
“So… like a swing party but framed like a quiz show?”
He laughed and the last of his puzzling tension evaporated.“I guess.”
“And the rings?”
“They have tiny digital timers on them with a minimum time guests are allowed to play before leaving the lounge.”He touched a panel, and shaded screens dropped from the ceiling over one seat, blocking it completely from view.
She slowly set the card and rings down and stared at the gold and indigo screen.It was beautifully etched with intricate swirls that together formed sensual images.“Wow.”
He lifted a brow.“Did I just impress you, baby?”
She glanced up.“No, but I’d love to have your designer on speed dial.”
That earned her a sharp smack on her ass before he motioned her forward.The sky lounge was like the one on the first plane but since they were grounded, the view beyond the wide windows wasn’t as impressive.She recalled Zach’s husky suggestion to fuck her as they raced for the stars, and a blush crept up her neck.
“Naughty thoughts, Peaches?”
“Considering where I am, I think I’ll give myself a free pass,” she answered.
“Hmm.”He tugged on their linked fingers, bringing her flush against his hard, warm body.“Just so we’re clear, during the trip, I’ll be with you each time you leave our suite.And if anyone so much as looks at you sideways, they will be shoved out the nearest airlock without a parachute.”
“God, you’re such a Neanderthal!”
“I like that you smile when you say that.”He laughed when she punched him in the arm.
They left the sky lounge through a side door and went down another hallway.Bethany’s mind began to boggle at the sheer vastness of the place.But she’d studied the layout Jeff had given Neon and knew Zach’s designers had used every available space to make the Indigo Lounge a stunning experience.
They reached a black door and Zach stopped.A different kind of excitement leapt off him in a way that intrigued her.
He entered a code and the door slid back with a sigh.At first, the room was dark.Zach passed a hand over a wall panel, and indigo and bright lights beamed over the space.
A single, huge throne-like armchair faced away from the door.That was intriguing enough, but it was the other central feature that held her attention.
A pole, strong and sturdy, rose from a staged platform.Tiny spotlights ringed the two short steps to the platform, drawing the eye to the silver pole.
Zach’s gaze swung from the pole to her, and Bethany found herself drawn like a magnet towards the platform in the middle of the room.
She jumped as a loud ringing sound smashed through the thick atmosphere.Zach barely flinched, but his nostrils flared in annoyance.His phone continued to ring as he walked beside her to the middle of the room.
“Any reason you’re not answering your phone?”
“Yes.I don’t want us to be interrupted.”