Page 15 of Resisting the Temptation (Broken Shelves #3)

Emma

Y esterday was… odd. I figured Ben was upset with me because of what happened with Derek, but I didn’t know why .

Hearing him say I only got it because I’m a pretty face was a blow to my self-esteem. I’ve been working my ass off to be a vital part of the team and prove I belong here.

Alex and Drew came to my office before Ben came to apologize and assured me they didn’t agree with him. They told me they were excited for me to work with Derek and enjoy having me here, which helped ease the sting of Ben’s words a little.

Although they assured me I was doing a good job and praised my work ethic, it didn’t seem to hold the same weight as when Ben said the same thing.

I hate that my brain craves the morsels of praise he tossed at me.

I hate that my body still craves the attention he gave me .

I haven’t been with anyone since him, and my body is in desperate need of a release that doesn’t come from a battery-operated companion.

Kiera was able to expedite my membership since I was already approved as a guest, so I’m getting dolled up to head over to The Temptation Lounge tonight to get out of my head and find someone who can help distract me for the night.

The black dress I’m wearing is tight enough that I don’t need a bra, contouring to my body like a second skin.

I swipe on red lipstick and put on a pair of matching red chunky heels before sliding my phone, lipstick, keys, ID, credit card, and shiny new Temptation Lounge membership card in my little clutch.

Jordan is on the couch when I come out and wolf whistles when they see what I’m wearing.

“Oh stop, you’re going to make me blush,” I tease.

“Someone’s going to make you blush tonight, but it won’t be me. You look hot! You plan on coming home later?” Jordy asks.

“I’m not sure. I have my keys though, so don’t feel the need to wait up for me.”

“I’ll be awake for a while, probably. Moss is coming over to play some Animal Crossing and chill…” They shrug.

I narrow my eyes at them. “Is there something going on between you two?”

“What? No! We’re just friends. Their roommate is having a kegger, and they don’t want to be there.” Jordan’s pale face turns redder than a ripe tomato .

I don’t believe them, but I’ll let it slide for now since they clearly don’t want to talk about it. “Alright. If they want to crash here, you know it’s fine with me.”

Jordan nods. “Of course. I’ll let you know in case they’re on the couch when you come home.”

“Sounds good. Oh, my Uber is here. Have a good night! Love you!”

“Love you, too! Be safe!”

“You know I will!”

This may have been a bad idea.

Without the assurance of Kiera introducing me to one specific person, the task of meeting someone falls to me. Kiera asked if I wanted to be set up again, and I stupidly said no because I thought I could handle it myself.

I cannot.

When I got here, the staff took everything but my membership card and stored it in a safe locker, then gave me a selection of ribbons to choose from. Only submissives and switches—people who can be both Dominant and submissive—get ribbons, so it’s easier to define roles.

Much like the traffic light system, green means someone is available to all genders and looking for a partner, purple means they’re available and looking but have a specific preference, and red means someone is unavailable. Switches will wear a black ribbon in addition to their color choice.

I happily tied a green ribbon around my wrist and walked into the main room, immediately overwhelmed with the options available to me.

I’ve been nursing a strawberry gin and tonic at the bar for ten minutes, not making eye contact with anyone because I’m worried I’ll say something stupid out of nerves, they’ll run away, and I’ll be the weird girl at the club.

Just when I’m thinking of calling it quits and going home, a man sidles up next to me at the bar and orders a rum and coke. I don’t look up, but I see his burgundy pants and shiny brown loafers.

“Hello, I’m Ri— R. Sorry, I’m not used to the ‘first initial only’ thing yet.”

I turn my head to make sure he’s talking to me, giving him a small smile when I see he is. “I’m E . I’m new here, too, so I understand.”

The bartender gives R his drink, and he rumbles, “Thank you,” before giving his attention back to me. I scan his person for a ribbon, my stomach twisting with nerves when I don’t see one. This is a Dom looking for someone.

“So, E , I’ll be honest, I’ve been watching you for the last few minutes trying to see if you were wearing a ribbon. As soon as I saw the green, I knew I had to come over.”

“I assume you like what you see, then?” I take a sip of my gin and tonic, letting the bitter alcohol warm my tummy and give me a bit more courage.

R looks like a blonde Hugh Jackman with his perfectly styled hair and clean shaven face. His smile is radiant, and he scoots his bar stool just a bit closer to me .

“I absolutely do. I’m hoping our preferences align and we can take this somewhere else.”

“I’ll be honest, R, this is only my second time here, and I’m still exploring some of my kinks. I do know I enjoy spanking.”

Do NOT think about Ben spanking you right now, Emma. Focus on the hot guy in front of you.

“What are your hard limits, E?” he purrs, setting his hand on my exposed thigh.

“No bodily fluid or knife play. Age play isn’t my thing, nor is being smacked around. And no kissing.”

R tilts his head to the side, considering my answer. “So, exhibitionism and bondage aren’t off the table?”

I shake my head.

“Hmmm. Good. I think I’d like to take you to an exhibition room, tie you up, and see how pretty you are when you come. Are you up for that?”

That seems a little extreme for my second time at the club. Plus, I don’t know this guy. Shouldn’t there be more of a conversation? I don’t think—

“Actually, she’s not,” a deep growl comes from behind me.

R and I whip our heads to the lurker, and my breath hitches even as my stomach drops.

“I’m sorry?” R asks, still keeping his hand on my thigh.

“I said she’s not up for it ,” Ben practically snarls.

“I think she can speak for herself,” R states, turning back to me. “Are you up for it, baby girl?”

I cringe at the nickname, and my eyes bounce between my coworker, whose brown eyes are burning with barely contained rage, and the man with his hand on my thigh .

I don’t think I am, honestly, but Ben doesn’t get to waltz in here and tell me what to do.

Outraged, I whisper, “Yes.”

R smiles wickedly, and I’m already regretting it. I remind myself he’s been vetted by the club, and we’ll be being watched by other members. He can’t hurt me if we’re being watched. It’ll be fine.

Oh God, will Ben watch?

I shiver at the thought, and my arousal deepens. I’m more turned on by the thought of Ben watching me than being fucked by this guy.

“Like hell you are,” Ben growls at me, nostrils flaring.

“Who is this guy to you, E?” R asks.

I stare into Ben’s eyes as I respond, “Just a pretty face.”