Page 114

one night with the blue billionaire

Megan Van Dyke

chapterone

Everyone this sideof the galaxy knew that the best destination for a good time was the Golden Sphere, which was why Aivey and her two best friends didn’t even consider another party station when planning their girls’ week getaway during their last break before graduation.

The Sphere had not disappointed—not yet, anyway. After days of gaming, lounging in the manufactured sunlight of the dome crafted to mimic the pristine beaches of Traquila, dancing to hypnotic music, and tasting delicacies that left Aivey groaning in pleasure, there was only one way they could think of to cap off their vacation: a trip to the infamous and renowned sex club, Incandescence.

A shiver ran down the length of Aivey’s spine as she stepped out of the cleansing enclosure. She should be used to it by now. After all, they had a similar one at the academy which all students were required to pass through when returning from off campus. But the woosh of air, sprinkle of tiny particles across her clothing and skin, and strangely mossy scent never failed to make her feel momentarily unsettled. Such things were necessary when citizens of various planets and systems mingled. Nobody wanted an accidental plague or anything.

“Woohoo!” Vesta raised her hands in the air as if making it through the cleansing was some big test. “Three for three!” The neon blue lights that illuminated the inner lobby of Incandescence—which was otherwise sleek and black like obsidian—caught on Vesta’s pale hair which swayed from side as she gave a little celebratory dance.

“I can’t believe we’re almost in.” Rima let out a little squeal and bounced in her spikey, golden heels.

A few other groups stood around, chatting excitedly. The distant thud of pounding music mingled with the hum of the nearby conversations.

The enthusiasm emanating from every pore of her friends—and seemingly everyone else—left Aivey even more unsettled than the cleansing chamber. The hard knot of anticipation sitting low in Aivey’s stomach twisted tighter. Oh, she wanted to go to Incandescence. She’d perked right up the moment Rima suggested it. But now that they were actually here, about to walk into a club filled with people looking for their next fuck, she couldn’t help but be nervous. Vesta and Rima seemed to have no such reservations, though, and Aivey wasn’t about to bethat friendand back out at the last minute.

It was just that sometimes a casual fling left her feeling… empty? Was that it? Unsettled? She could never quite pinpoint the exact feeling. All she knew is that sometimes, well, likeonetime, it was great, and most of the time it really wasn’t. Though admitting that to her friends, close as they were, seemed impossible. Especially since that’s what they were all about to do—go have a little fun without attachments.

No attachments, no chance of bumping into their hookup around the academy, and hopefully no regrets. Aivey glanced down at her pointer finger. Moments ago, she’d pressed it against a panel, had her blood sampled, been injected with a temporary fertility suppressant. Another club requirement, and one she was grateful for. After all, the club’s slogan of “What happens at Incandescence stays at Incandescence” couldn’t be true if there was the risk of getting knocked up. Thanks goodness she didn’t have to worry about any of that thanks to the club’s strict safety protocols.

“I’ve been looking forward to this for ages!” Rima’s exclamation drew Aivey’s attention back to her friend. With the shimmering gold of her skin-tight dress against her bronzed skin and wavey pink hair, she’d stand out in any crowd, even as one as diverse as those in the Golden Sphere. Which, Rima had proclaimed earlier that night, was just the point. “Seriously. Ever since I learned about this place, it’s been top of my dream board.”

Aivey sucked in a deep breath and shoved her worries to the back of her mind. “I know,” she replied, attempting to sound way more relaxed and excited than she actually was. She wasn’t about to dampen her friend’s joy. “You’ve only told us about a million times.”

Rima sauntered closer and booped Aivey on the nose. “Then one more won’t hurt.”

This was their last night of vacation. Rima and Vesta were determined to finish off the trip with the biggest indulgence of all: seeking to play out their inner fantasies with a stranger or two…preferably not of the Earthean variety. After all, their academy was mostly Earthean, so why not hook up with a different type of humanoid while they had the chance? This was a chance to break free, to indulge without judgment or consequence. After all, only the three of them would know about this little excursion and they’d already kept each other’s secrets for years.

“Come on! I’m so ready to get in there already.” Vesta looped her arms through Aivey and Rima’s and marched them toward a sleek desk of shimmering black glass.

An exceedingly tall woman stood behind it. Two twisting white horns speared up through her violet hair that had been tied in little braids and fell down past her shoulders. Her attire, much like her skin tone, was nearly as black as the desk she stood behind—and just about everything else Aivey had spied in the club so far. They really took the dark tones and neon lights aesthetic and ran with it.

“Welcome to Incandescence,” the woman behind the desk said as they approached. The silken tones of her voice made Aivey shiver with the way they slid over her senses and beckoned her closer. “Come forward and submit your cards to get your bands.”

Before the cleansing chamber, they’d each filled out a card detailing their desired match, or matches, for the night. The questionnaire included their preferences on genders, species, number of partners, particular kinks they desired, and so forth. The list of choices was so exhaustive there was one gender and at least three species that Aivey didn’t recognize, which was truly saying something since she had at least a cursory knowledge of the galaxy’s primary intelligent races.

One by one, they inserted their cards in the illuminated slot and stuck their arm into the round opening. Aivey held her breath as the machine light up and then circled her wrist with a silver band almost an inch thick. Lights illuminated as words scrolled in galactic common across the smooth black panel screen in the center. The scrolling text confirmed Aivey’s choices. Her band was silver for one desired partner. An orange light indicated she wished for a humanoid, and green represented the gender she wanted—in this case, male.

“Excellent. This is your whole party?”

Aivey glanced back at the woman, just as Rima answered her question. The hostess looked from one of them to the next, and it was impossible not to get caught up in the woman’s dark eyes that sparkled with bits of violet. They certainly picked the right hostess for such a club.

“A quick reminder,” the woman began. “If you wish to pair up with one or more individuals, you can tap your bracelet to theirs to see if you are a match. You’ll both glow blue, if so. If not, your differences will be displayed on the band.”

Rima and Vesta both nodded along silently, as if they were as entranced by the woman as Aivey.

“However, your bands are only your preferences,” she continued. “You are free to choose outside of those if you wish and your selected counterpart agrees. The only exceptions are certain restricted kinks, but it doesn’t look like any of you have chosen those.” Her slow, knowing grin made Aivey’s insides twist up, her pulse escalating and blood running hotter.

The woman clapped once and the feeling vanished. Aivey took a step back from the desk, standing a little straighter, her brows knotting.

“Any questions?” the woman asked, the hypnotic tone gone from her voice.

The three friends all looked between one another, blinking rapidly as if coming back to their senses.

“I am here if you do. If not, feel free to choose a starting room.” The hostess gestured to three sets of double doors, each manned by an animatronic attendant. A few other groups stood around, possibly making their choice or just taking a breather before moving on to a new section of the club.