Page 26

Kelcie

As I wake, I feel Gabriel’s warmth against me, he hasn’t moved an inch since he pulled me into him last night.

I fell into a deep sleep quickly, his reassurance that nothing would change, and the mind-blowing orgasm he gave me after I told him I loved him assisted in me drifting off.

I told him, out loud, that I love him.

I wasn’t prepared to say it, the words just came out.

I know he feels the same I just didn’t want to feel weak around him.

Oh, and how wrong I was, if anything he made me feel stronger, powerful, and untouchable.

Making it clear that I am his equal in every sense, has taken away any anxiety that this will one day end, I am his, and he is mine, and I will let nothing take that away.

We slipped into a natural routine, and I feel good about it all, like this is where I have always meant to be, every decision that I made was to bring me here.

I feel at ease, not only with him but at work too.

As the weeks glide by, I have continued to keep a note of the servers’ shift requests and ensure that I talk with each of them regularly.

They will see and notice more than I do now.

Like the fact that Mr Dale has been attending The Sicuro as a member’s guest more often lately but is ‘cheap’ with his tips.

I let Gabriel know, but he was already aware, he believes it’s because he is trying to work out if there are any new members.

He still hasn’t accepted any but as Anders keeps reminding him, he needs to keep things running and should select one soon.

Evening changeover is completed, and I walk into the office, Gabriel is at his desk, his black shirt has the top three buttons undone, and sleeves rolled halfway up his forearms.

This man could be dressed in a potato sack and my body would come alive for him.

He seems immersed in the work on his computer but looks away to focus on me as I walk towards him.

His eyes are devious as he watches each step I take, like it’s the first time he has ever seen me.

“Hmmm,”

a pleased hum rumbles from his lips.

“Perfect timing”.

“Really! And what would it be for?”

“I’m craving the taste of you across my lips.”

His words seductive.

I round the desk as he pushes his seat back allowing me to step into him, he grips my hips and pulls me in.

I lean down and kiss him letting my tongue brush across his lips.

His hands grip me tighter.

“As much as I want to take you over this desk right now, I need to finalise these applications and would like your opinion.”

He readjusts himself before pulling me onto his lap to face the screen in front of us.

I read through the request, which isn’t for a loan but to take over the apartment complexes that Mark Jackson was developing before Gabriel took them over after his unfortunate demise.

The other is a loan request for the development of another restaurant.

“The apartment complex request would take that issue off your hands, and it appears that they want to continue the development of the second one.”

Gabriel nods.

“My thoughts too, I’ll get a meeting set up.

Are there any days that I should avoid?”

I turn and look at him, my brows pulled together.

“My partner should be present in business meetings should they not?”

“I’m not ready for that step up yet Gabriel, I am content managing the staff.”

The thought of being involved in any applications other than giving him my opinion on them makes my stomach turn.

“Whatever you want Baby.”

He says as he gives me a small nod and places a soft kiss on my cheek.

Friday rolls around and we opt to go out for dinner, I never kept up learning to cook since I went back to work, and whilst I can do a few dishes the same food becomes mundane.

As the waiter pours my wine, Gabriel patiently waits until he has finished and leaves before starting to talk, explaining that he met with the applicant who wants to take over the apartments.

“She only wants the two buildings, the tenants’ contracts will be honoured, and she wants to develop the second.”

“She?”

My eyebrow raised.

I quickly realise my expression and lower it, taking a drink of my wine in an attempt to hide it.

I see the sly grin on his lips telling me he already noticed.

“Mm-hmm.

Emma Williams.

She has been looking at property development since she left university but hasn’t been able to get a loan approved.

I had it looked into before the meeting, too many student loans piled against her.

Parents are scraping by, and she’s been managing to get by but needs a kick start, she heard about The Sicuro and thought she would try her luck.”

He continues to tell me about her plans on repayments, to use the current tenant’s rent to pay her membership, and she will use the little savings she has for the development of the second.

Whilst Jackson hadn’t quite completed the contract exchange for the second building, Gabriel decided to take it over as the guy selling it was retiring and wanted to emigrate.

Stating it wasn’t his fault that Jackson was a fucking useless waste of human organs.

“Will the tenant’s rent cover the membership and additional payments?”

I ask.

Although I haven’t seen actual invoices, I know the membership isn’t cheap and those buildings, whilst not in the most-upper class of areas will still hold value.

“That’s her business, it’s not for us to look into how people would make repayments.”

“No, but surely you do checks to make sure you, we, will not be out of pocket.”

A full smile takes over his lips.

“Yes, Miss Taylor I do have certain checks completed so that we,”

he says emphasising we, “will not be out of pocket.

There are some assets that her parents own that could be taken as collateral should the need arise.”

I pull a face at the thought of her parents being dragged into this world.

“She is being treated in the same manner as every other member Kelcie.

She doesn’t get any special treatment just because she has a cunt.”

He has a point, and it’s her decision to accept it should she be offered the agreement.

“So have you approved it?”

“Do you think I should?”

“It takes the complexes off your hands, and she hasn’t asked for an additional loan.

Seems like the easier option.”

He nods.

“Should I expect her to have a recurring booking?”

“Yes, but not as often as the other members, she requested weekly due to wanting to be actively involved in the refurbishments.”

We don’t speak any more of the details, but I do make a mental note to look for her name on the bookings when I next go in.

I will be there to welcome her in on her first booking, usually a waiting girl does it however this is the first new member since I stepped up and it’s the first female one.

It feels more appropriate, and I have an unwelcome desire to know what she looks like.

There is a knot forming in my stomach thinking about it.

“Why are you scowling?”

He asks while holding in a laugh.

“Why are you laughing?”

I can feel myself becoming curt.

“No need for jealousy, you know I belong to you.”

I respond with only a glare which makes him laugh more.

I’m not jealous, am I? Fuck, this man brings out all kinds of emotions in me.

“You’re such a dick.”

My words don’t match the smile on my face.

I’ve checked the bookings each day to see if her name was there, it’s been two weeks, and it hasn’t appeared.

I don’t want to ask HR as I know that they will tell Gabriel, so I’ve just been checking with the reception area if I should expect any new members that day or evening.

This isn’t unusual, as new members are greeted by a member of staff and a rundown of expectations is provided on their first visit.

It’s Tuesday and as I walk in, I am told that a new member ‘Miss Williams’ has a booking made for that evening.

I thank them and continue up to the office.

Tuesdays are quiet and uneventful.

I expected her in at the weekend.

I walk into Gabriel’s, our, office with a smile on my face.

“Who’s brightened your day?”

His curiosity getting the better of him.

“I had the best wake up call, from the only man that can make my knees buckle with just his hand.”

Which is indeed factual, this morning he awoke me with one hand pinning mine and the other between my thighs resulting in my juices coating his hand and then his coating my tits.

His devilish grin takes over his face.

“Nothing to do with a booking this evening?”

“It would be rude not to greet new members.”

“You have nothing to worry about Kelcie.”

He’s blunt.

He stands and greets me.

“I am yours and yours only, I have no interest in others.” He pulls me close kissing me.

“I know.

She’s the first female member though, isn’t she?”

I have been wondering if there have been any previously.

There hasn’t been any whilst I have been working here.

You only really see females on the odd occasion when they are brought in as guests.

“No.

However normally it’s the husband/partner that is the ‘front’, and the woman stays in the background.

She is the first female member who has applied on her own.

Background check didn’t show any partner.”

This makes her more intriguing, how did she find out about The Sicuro? I know that I can’t and won’t ask her, but I am going to be the one that greets her.

It’s 8pm and I get notified that Miss Williams has arrived.

I go down and meet her in the foyer.

She’s thin build, a similar height to myself, long poker straight blonde hair and fair complexion.

Along with a bone structure that matches that of Anya Taylor-Joy, but as I get closer, I notice what I would describe as emptiness in her eyes.

She’s wearing a tailored suit, and black stilettos, looking the part of a businesswoman.

The staff behind the desk inform her of my approach and she walks towards me, with a smile.

“Miss Taylor, I’m Emma Williams, thank you for meeting me this evening.”

As she reaches out her hand I take it, shaking it softly.

I feel as though I may hurt her if I put any kind of pressure in my grip.

“You’re welcome, and welcome to The Sicuro.

If you would like to follow me, I will go through some formalities whilst I take you to your table.”

I’ve already allocated her a table, she is at one in the centre of the bar.

Regular members will have their allocated tables, and the booths are reserved for those who have been around since the beginning.

Most of those now don’t owe anything but remain loyal to Gabriel’s grandfather and now him.

Since she is the first female, I have had her allocated a table that can be viewed from the bar and the security team.

The cameras can see everything, but if staff have eyes on, they can react quickly should they need to.

Whilst travelling up the elevator I go through the formalities and expected etiquette of members.

It’s an overview of the details of her membership and NDA agreement so nothing should be a shock to her.

I finish off with a reminder that an NDA has been signed, after which I hear her take a deep breath which causes me to turn and look at her, if possible, she looks even paler.

“Are you OK?”

“Yes, I am just a little nervous.

I never even expected my application to make it past the first steps and this is all new to me.”

Her words are slightly shaken supporting her evident nerves.

“Don’t worry, there is always security on shift and the staff have rules to follow and all members agree to the same terms.”

Just as I finish my sentence the elevator dings highlighting our arrival.

The door opens and I step out, as she follows, I can sense her tension.

I open the door to the bar and indicate for her to enter, as she does David steps forward greeting her and taking her to her table as I head towards the bar to speak with the staff.

As I inform them of the new member one of the waiting girls approaches her and takes her order.

Alcohol free gin and tonic, the server tells the bar staff.

I look over at Miss Williams who is taking in her surroundings, shoulders still stiff.

The bar is quiet, and with her nerves running high I start to understand why she has chosen a Tuesday evening to attend.

After a few minutes, I return upstairs to the office.

“And.”

His one-word question posed to me as I walked through the door.

“She is beautiful.”

“And.”

He repeats in the same tone.

“And nervous as hell.

I’m not sure she will stay too long.”

I go over to him and pull up the security cameras on his screen, zoning in on Miss Williams.

“She looks like she is going to pass out,” I say as I point at her.

“As Anders once said to me, women don’t do well in this environment.”

I turn looking at him, his eyebrow is cocked, and I can tell he is biting the inner side of his lip to stop his laugh.

“I just seem to have found the exception.”

He pulls me in close, burying his head into my chest.