Page 62 of Theirs to Desire (Club M: Boxed Set)

AVERY

Y ou’ve got to hand it to Club M. They don’t stint on the amenities. This sex room—playroom, dungeon, whatever—has an attached bathroom. I quickly freshen up.

There’s a part of me that wants to linger here and avoid my upcoming conversation with Maddox and Kai.

What the hell had got into me? What on Earth possessed me to tell Maddox and Kai that I was looking for two dominants to train me? Why had I jumped into bed with them?

Technically, I guess we hadn’t had sex, but it sure as hell feels like it.

I put my corset back on, thinking about the way Kai’s fingers had stroked the swell of my breasts, about the way Maddox had caressed my back when removing the top.

A shiver of remembered pleasure runs through me.

Trying to focus, I tighten the laces as best as I can.

It’s really a two-person job. Maggie had helped me get ready for tonight, making me promise I’d tell her everything.

I wonder what she’ll think when I tell her what happened.

I hadn’t come here to have sex with Kai and Maddox. I’m not going to lie—there was definitely a part of me that hoped that they were still single. That maybe they’d be interested in going out on a date or something.

But before that, I had intended to clear the air. Tell them everything. If we were to start anything, I wanted this time to be on an honest, level footing.

Instead, I fucked up.

There’s a knock on the door, and a woman pokes her head into the room. “Hi,” she says, her expression friendly.

I jump to my feet. “I’m sorry, do you have the room reserved or something?”

She laughs. “Oh, I’m not a member,” she says. “And in any case, the room won’t be ready for use until the cleaning crew has been here.” She walks into the room. “My name is Kiera. I’m a bartender here. Xavier sent me to check on you.”

There’s a pang in my heart. Xavier Leforte sent her. Not Kai and Maddox.

“Cleaning crew?” I don’t actually care how the club works, but talking about the logistics of running a sex club is much easier than dealing with my aching heart.

Tonight had been wonderful. When they’d touched me, when they made me touch myself in front of them… I thought my fantasies were hot, but they have nothing on the real thing.

But the crushing realization remains. Maddox and Kai couldn’t get out of here fast enough.

Kiera’s blonde hair is streaked with pink. As a teenager, I’d asked my mother if I could color my hair, and she’d been horrified. “Of course not, Avery. Nice girls don’t do that.”

That had been the end of that. I might talk a good game, but at the end of the day, I’ve never been the rebellious sort. After all, I’m the dutiful daughter who married someone to clear my parents’ debt.

“Yeah. They’re pretty quick at turning the room around. They’ll come in, wipe everything down, take an inventory of the toys used, bill it to the member’s account, and replace what’s needed.”

“Bill it to the member?”

She nods. “You’re new, right? Still a temporary member? It’ll be billed to either Dr. Bowen or Mr. Wake’s account, depending on who swiped in.”

“Shit.” I wince. “I didn’t realize they’d be charged for the stuff we used. I should offer to split it, I guess.”

She gives me a peculiar look. “Mr. Wake would probably appreciate that, after everything he’s been through,” she says. “Would you like some help getting your corset fastened?”

After everything Maddox has been through? “Yes please.” I turn around and lift my hair, and she expertly tightens the straps. “What do you mean by that? What has Maddox been through?”

She clears her throat. “I shouldn’t have said anything,” she murmurs, sounding uncomfortable. “It’s just… well, it was the topic of gossip in DC last year. I thought everyone had heard.”

“Heard what?”

She hesitates. “When Mr. Wake’s father died, there was trouble with his estate,” she says finally. “His brother took him to court over his share. It was quite the scandal.”

Oh. That can’t have been pleasant. “I had no idea.” I give her a grateful smile as she finishes with my corset. “I guess I can’t hide in here forever. I should go find Maddox and Kai.”

“Not Mr. Reeves?”

I look up at her too-casual tone. That wasn’t a throwaway question. From the way Kiera’s refusing to meet my gaze, I can tell that my answer matters.

“Caleb seems nice,” I say quietly. Somehow, I doubt very much if the club staff are allowed to hook up with the members. Poor Kiera. “But he’s not really my type.” Not when my body still aches for the two men from my past.

Her smile is a little too relieved. I pretend not to notice. It seems better that way. I don’t know Kiera at all. The last thing I need to do is embarrass her by offering her unsolicited love advice.

When I emerge, Kai and Maddox are nowhere in sight.

It feels like someone has thrown a bucket of ice over me.

This is a one-time deal, Kai had said. I guess my time expired the moment they left the playroom.

Suddenly, my corset feels too tight.

I have no tears left. I’m cried out. All I want to do is be alone.

I’d planned on spending the night; God knows I’m paying enough for it. But now, I can’t stand the idea of being here for another second.