Page 18 of By Invitation Only

“I know, but this is it. Once we go behind this black curtain, you’ll see things.”

I looked to the curtain that separated the entryway from the rest of the house, swallowed hard and then nodded. “Let’s do it.”

We each pulled a corner back then stepped through. It felt as though we’d entered another realm. The lighting changed from neutral to shades of reds and pinks. Music you’d hear at a nightclub instantly got louder, but not so loud that you had to scream to talk to the person next to you. It was as if they played it to drown out the moans of ecstasy.

“People don’t wait around do they?” I asked.

“Regulars, and those wanting more than one partner, don’t. Some come in, get it out of the way, and then watch for most of the night. Then they do it again and go home at three when the party ends.”

“Interesting,” I commented as my gaze landed on two women kissing near a fireplace. The blonde had her hand up the other woman’s dress, caressing her ass as they moaned into each other’s mouths.

“Let’s go get a drink and find Michael. Then you can look for Trent, and you’ll know where I am so you can find me after you serve him.”

“Perfect.”

I was trying to keep my cool as we maneuvered through the vast space. From what I could see, the furniture cost a month of my mortgage payment, but it was hard to tell exactly what color anything was because everything was a shade of red or pink. Plus, it was hard to look at the furniture with everything that was happening live in front of me. I tried to take everything in since I wouldn’t be back.

We rounded a corner and walked into a room with ceiling-high bookshelves and glass windows that overlooked a glowing swimming pool. I could faintly see people standing near it as we walked farther into the room and directly to the bar.

“Trent should be out there, right?” I pointed to the pool.

Ava turned her gaze toward the blue water, and took a deep breath. “Yeah.”

I reached up and placed my hand on her shoulder. “Relax. Everything will be fine.” Fine was definitely the word of the day. It wasn’t an ideal situation to be in. Usually, the party that was serving the other party wasn’t in the same vicinity, let alone at the same house party. Granted, it appeared this mansion was on a massive lot, and Ava could hide if she wanted to.

We each ordered vodka cranberries, and then we left the room and headed in another direction. I wasn’t certain where we were going, and I was convinced I was going to get lost at some point—it was a given. We took turn after turn and peeked into room after room with open doors until Ava stopped abruptly.

“There he is.” She nudged her head, and I followed with my eyes. The room was almost the same as the one where we’d gotten our drinks. People stood around talking—watching—touching.

“Looks like he’s only watching a guy with…”

All words left my brain. Next to Michael was Jason. They were both staring at a guy groping a chick while she rubbed the front of his pants. Jason’s piercing green eyes never left the couple as we stood and watched them. He was more gorgeous in person even with a tint of red lacing his features. His dark hair was slicked back, and his arms bulged in his tux. Instantly, I felt like a giddy high school girl who had a crush on the quarterback. It didn’t matter that I was over thirty. What mattered was the hottest guy I’d ever seen was only ten feet away from me.

“Let’s go talk to them,” Ava said and took a step, but then stopped as two women approached Michael and Jason.

I watched as the blonde sat in Jason’s lap. His hand skimmed up her bare thigh and cupped her ass as she leaned into him. I had no idea what the redhead was doing to Michael. My gaze was on Jason. I wished his hands were all over my body.

“Yeah, let’s go talk to them,” I said in agreement, my gaze not faltering.

“He’s with a girl now.”

I turned my head to Ava. “So? Is there a rule that you can’t interrupt? I thought you were into threesomes?”

“But I was always with Trent.”

“You gotta start somewhere, right?”And I don’t want to miss my chance of meeting Jason.I took a sip of the cool cranberry drink. I didn’t taste the vodka though I knew it was in there because I saw the bartender pour it.

“Right,” she agreed and started toward the high back chairs where they were sitting.

Taking deep calming breaths with each step, I tried to relax so I didn’t make a fool of myself. What if I said something stupid? What if I had something on my face? I instantly started brushing imaginary shit from my face.

And now I look like a spaz.

I stopped my movements, hanging back a few steps as Ava greeted Michael.

“Hey, Mike,” she purred.

My head turned to face her as the words left her mouth. I wasn’t expecting the sultry tone of her voice to leave her lips. Now I was positive I was out of my element.