Page 119 of Beautifully Ruined

I’m trying to see if Gianna is here, if anyone seems wrong, somehow.

The Dungeon, for its level of exclusivity, is a big place and the staff, the girls, either change daily in their shift work, or they work in different parts of the club.

One thing is I feel safe with the protection of the bracelet and Cade’s soft warning not to wander out of his line of vision.

Safer than a part of me might feel if I didn’t have Cade there. It’s not just Thomas, there are a handful of powerful-looking men who he spends time with, that look at me in a way that makes my skin crawl.

So, yes, I’m glad to have Cade.

I’m glad to have him, anyway.

It’s Friday night, and we’re going to the club again. I turn to Cade, holding up two different outfits. “Which one?”

He doesn’t even look. “Neither.”

I frown. “You didn’t even look.”

“Thomas is close to giving me this other job, but he’s holding off. I don’t know why.”

“Is that a problem?” I sit on the bed as he turns in his computer chair.

“Yes and no. It’s gives us time to look for clues to Gianna, but it also might be hindering…”

My heart squeezes. “We need to stay positive.”

“I know.” He holds out his hand, and I put mine in his. “But there’ a chance we might not find her. These things can be almost impossible.”

“’Almost’ isn’t impossible.”

He half laughs. “Fuck, Vi. You’re a hell of a girl.”

I don’t need to tell him I haven’t found anything at work. Because if I do that, I’ll have to admit to low-key snooping. Nothing huge, and nothing I couldn’t explain away, but Cade, for a man who’ll make me come in a room full of people, expose me, and fuck me in public, is very protective.

And I like it.

A lot.

“Thomas has offered us the private rooms, or even to book a session that’ll be watched if people choose to…” My clit throbs even as my throat tightens. “We can’t keep going with me sitting with you or watching people. Can we?”

He tugs me onto his lap, pulling my thighs either side of him so his hand can dip under his T-shirt I’m wearing. And the expression of delight on his face as he stroked my bare, wet pussy is almost orgasmic to me.

But he doesn’t touch my clit. He doesn’t push fingers into me. Cade just strokes my wet flesh, making me shudder and moan.

“We can, Vi. I told him I don’t share my girl, and whatever you blurted out was because you thought I was at dinner and you followed me. He knows you know what I do. But he’s not interested in you in that way.”

The words ‘that way’ make me shudder in the wrong way.

“I told him point blank I play at clubs like his. I fucking love clubs like his. But I’m easing you into it. Why you wear thatbracelet, Vi. We’ll have to do more, eventually.” He kisses my throat.

“But?”

“But…if I’m honest, there are other clubs just as good, who vet their members that I’d rather really play with you in. Besides, you and me? I think we like more of an edge. More of the real world in our games. You do.”

“I’m willing to learn.”

He groans and eases me off him, sucking his fingers of my juices. “Here.”

Then Cade reaches down and hands me a glossy bag I didn’t notice. “Wear this.”