Page 24 of The Player

He held up the third insulator, showing it to the audience as he dramatically poured the whiskey into it and let it burn as he twisted it in the flickering light.

Seth stroked her sex again. “So wet for me.”

He thrust his fingers in and out of her pussy, making her undulate in response before he sealed the cup firmly to her clit. The final vacuum formed, her nipples and clit all being suckled. Hope’s back arched as she cried out. Attaching small pieces of plastic tubing to the tops of the insulators and the other end to a small hand pump, Seth began gently squeezing it to increase the suction.

Carefully, he removed the pump and tubing without disturbing the insulators. He leaned in to kiss her and barely tapped the one between her legs. It was enough to send her over the edge as pleasure rocketed through her system.

The audience applauded, and Seth took a bow before opening a small valve that was barely discernible on the tip of each insulator, releasing it gently so he could ease it from her red, swollen nipples. He took each in his mouth as he did so, sucking it to ease the sharp pain into more of a dull ache. He released her clit but did not apply his mouth to her and let the pain shock her back into reality as he unbuckled the restraints at her ankles that bound her to the cross.

He skimmed his hands up her sides, using his body to press her into the cross, his thigh coming between her legs so that when he released her wrists, she collapsed on his thigh and not on the floor. As he had anticipated, she sagged against him without the restraints to hold her upright.

Seth swept her up in his arms as the audience cheered. He knew the pleasure and scene had been intense, but he was also fairly sure she would be able to recover quickly.

“Can I assume someone will clean up the area for me?”

“Of course, Mr. Conway,” said Gwendolyn, who had appeared out of nowhere. She snapped her fingers, and scantily clad attendants came to do her bidding. “Allow me to show you to one of our privacy rooms where your wife can recover. I must say, that was exhilarating. Your wife is a lucky woman.”

The audience—a small, select group of Valente’s most trusted associates—had watched with rapt attention as they executed the scene with precision and control. The energy in the room was electric, the tension palpable, but Seth’s focus never wavered from Hope. He needed to ensure she was coming down and that she could focus. If he didn’t feel she was safe, he’d get her out of here, and they’d try again.

Every touch, every command, every moment of connection between them had been real, but it had also been carefully calculated and designed to draw the audience in, in order to make them believe in the illusion they were creating.

He passed by Valente and several men unknown to them, who had been watching from the shadows. Valente stepped forward; his expression unreadable. “Well done,” he said, his voice low. “I must admit, I’m impressed.”

“Thank you,” Seth replied, his tone even, though he could feel the residual adrenaline coursing through his veins.

Valente gave them a nod of approval. “My associates and I have been called away on business. Gwendolyn will take you to one of my private rooms for the rest of the evening. Consider it appreciation for a job well done.”

Seth inclined his head in acknowledgment. “Thank you.”

With that, Valente turned and left the room, his associates following close behind. Once they were alone, Seth let out a slow breath, the tension in his shoulders finally easing.

“We did it,” Hope murmured, her voice soft as she stepped closer to him.

Seth nodded, cradling her close. “Yeah, we did. But we’re not done yet.”

They followed Gwendolyn to the private room they’d been given, a luxurious space with a large bed, plush seating, and soft, ambient lighting. The door closed behind them with a soft click before Seth walked with her to a large, wingback chair, taking a seat and holding her close, letting her drift back to reality.

“You did so good, Hope. You were amazing. If you don’t feel up to it, we can come back another time.”

“I’m fine, Seth. That was amazing.”

“No, sweetheart, you were amazing.”

Seth could still feel the lingering effects—the adrenaline, the heat, the way every nerve in his body seemed to be on high alert. He knew Hope was forcing herself to leave subspace. She hadn’t settled back to her usual state of focused calm, but she was getting there.

“We need to shake this off,” he said quietly, his voice cutting through the silence. “We’ve got work to do.”

Hope nodded, her eyes meeting his with a clarity that he found both reassuring and arousing.

“I’ll set up the computer station,” she said, her voice steadier than her attempts at standing. Once she was able, she removed her small computer device from beneath Seth’s shirt and moved toward the bathroom.

Seth watched her go, his gaze lingering on the way her body moved, the way the shadows played across her skin. She was focused, determined, but there was something undeniably sexy about the way she threw herself back into her work, the way she could switch from one role to another with such ease.

He followed her to the bathroom, where she was already setting up the small, portable computer station on the counter. The room was small but luxurious, with marble countertops and gleaming fixtures. It was also the perfect place to set up, away from any potential cameras that might be monitoring the main room.

Hope worked quickly, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she accessed the club’s internal systems. Seth stood in the doorway, watching her with a mixture of admiration and desire. She was brilliant, laser-focused, and utterly captivating.

As she worked, Seth could feel the pull to stay by her side and protect her from whatever dangers might be lurking in the shadows. But he knew he had his own part to play, his own mission to complete. He needed to slip out and do his own reconnaissance while Valente was occupied elsewhere.

---