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Highest Bidder
San Diego After Dark
Vivian
“I’m sorry, you caught him doing what?” my best friend, Kit, screeched through the phone.
“Stealing money from my purse.”
“Again?”
“Yeah,” I said with a sigh. “But hey, at least he wasn’t going to buy drugs with it this time. It was for scratchers at the corner store. Allegedly.”
“Please tell me you are done with this guy for good, Viv.”
“I’m done with him for good. I’d been over him for a while, to be honest. I just needed a reason to end it.”
“You mean pawning your tablet and stealing money from your purse the first time wasn’t enough of a reason?”
“I don’t know—I mean, yes, you’re right. But he’d groveled and tried to make amends by buying the tablet back. I thought it’d be bitchy if I said I forgave him if I really hadn’t.”
“Who the fuck cares if it’s bitchy? He needed a bitch slap ! Why do you keep dating losers?”
“My therapist says it’s because they’re familiar. Textbook daddy issues. But in my defense, I didn’t realize Trent was a loser until recently.”
I could practically see my BFF’s eyeroll over the phone when she snarked, “The lizard tattoo on his neck wasn’t enough of a giveaway?”
“I thought he was edgy.”
“He was something, all right. But perfect timing, breaking up with him! My club’s having their monthly masquerade party this Friday. I can bring a guest if you want to go.”
Kit bartended at an upscale sex club. I wasn’t sure if that was an oxymoron or not, but it cost a hundred grand a year in annual dues, plus a monthly minimum that members had to spend at the club.
Which was why Kit made a killing slinging drinks there—people trying to run up their bar tab to satisfy the requirement.
“Are you working that night or playing?”
“Playing. We’re supposed to wear masks, so hopefully none of the regulars will recognize me. Plus, the anonymity makes it hotter.”
“I don’t know. Some of the stories you’ve told me… I think I’d feel like Alice when she fell down the rabbit hole.”
“It’s no different than having a one-night stand. Except the chances that the guy you’re hooking up with will be a kinky multi-millionaire are almost one hundred percent. And the club vets its members, so you know you’ll be safe.”
“Does that mean they’re going to vet me, too?”
“Don’t worry—it’s pretty straightforward. They’ll want your ID, and I’ll have to vouch for you. And you’ll have to get tested when you come in to sign some paperwork agreeing to the club’s rules. After that, you’re good to go.”
“That sounds like a lot of work to attend an orgy.”
She sighed because she’d already told me a dozen times. “It’s not an orgy. There’ve only been a few instances where it bordered on being able to call it that. Most of the time, people just hook up with one or two people.”
“Can I think about it?”
“Yeah, but don’t think too long. If you don’t want to go, I’m not going to waste my plus-one.”
“Okay, I’ll let you know in the morning.”
“It really is fun. And there’s zero pressure to do anything you’re not comfortable with. They have different colored wristbands to show what you’re into.”
“Different colors? Like, for what?”
“Well, yellow means you’re down for a golden shower.
Red means you’re into spanking. Red with black dots means you want to be flogged or whipped.
Black means you’re up for anything. Pink means you’re curious and open to discussion.
White means you’re just there to watch. There are other colors, but I can’t remember what they mean right now.
There’s a whole sheet explaining it when you check in. ”
“What color do you wear?”
“Depends on my mood. I did the golden shower thing once, just to say I tried it. It wasn’t my favorite, but I could see why some people have the kink. There’s a definite power dynamic to it.”
“Hmm. I like being dominated, but I don’t want to get peed on. Maybe some light spanking. Definitely not flogged.”
“I think you should wear a pink bracelet. You know, if you decide to come.”
We both knew I was going to say yes, but I needed to keep up the ruse.
“I’ll let you know tomorrow.”