Page 63 of My Favorite Sin

The lunch reservations I made for us went unattended. The movie tickets I pre-ordered were wasted. We haven’t left Dan’s apartment all day. My lips are bruised from all ofDan’s kisses and the make out sessions on his couch. I’m tender between my legs from the number of times Dan insisted on fucking me with his hand.

And I have no complaints.

At five p.m., I convince him to leave the apartment with me for an early dinner since we skipped all meals throughout the day. We do our best to ignore paparazzi when dining at a boutique French restaurant. Afterward, we attend another showing of the movie we missed, where we can be away from prying eyes.

In the dark theater, with no eyes on us, he pulls my legs across his lap and holds me in his arms. My head rests on his shoulder as we watch the movie. For once, Dan and I are able to be affectionate with each other in public, and it feels so perfect. Everything is a dream, until the movie ends, and I realize Dan is acting quieter than usual.

“You okay?” I ask as we return to the street, standing beneath the marquee lights of the theater’s entrance.

“Yeah. Just… the movie was the first time I’ve stopped all day. My mind started drifting to bad places.”

“Maybe a movie wasn’t the best idea.” I check the time on my phone. It’s only eight p.m. We could return to Dan’s apartment, but I don’t want to do that when he’s feeling off. One of my backup plans for the day comes to mind. “Will you take me to The Scarlet Mirage?”

His lips twitch with surprise, then rise into a teasing grin. “You aren’t scared of tarnishing your reputation?”

“If this speakeasy is so secretive, shouldn’t my reputation be safe?”

“Fair point. But I’m curious as to why you want to go there.”

“It’s Felix’s baby and you’re always hanging out there. Iwant to see what all the fuss is about. Plus, I was thinking I could have another ‘first’ with you and order a cocktail.”

Amusement fills Dan’s eyes. “Jesus fuck. How can you be twenty-one in a month and never have tried a cocktail?”

“Shut up.” I push his arm, laughing.

“Okay, I’ll take you to The Scarlet Mirage.”

Midtown Manhattan. Felix runs a sophisticated cocktail lounge, modern in interior and with New Age Electronic music. We don’t linger in the lounge area. Dan leads me to a busy corridor filled with multiple doors leading to restrooms and staff quarters. He stops at an unmarked door, where a man dressed in a black and red striped suit stands guard. The man lets us enter after sharing a knowing glance with Dan.

Inside, we’re met with a powder room. Dan steps up to a floor-to-ceiling mirror gilded with old-world embellishments that clash with the modern style of the venue. He slips his hand behind the frame. I’m about to ask what he’s doing, but my question is answered when the mirror unlatches from the wall, swinging open as a doorway to someplace dark.

“Impressive.”

“Wait till you see what’s downstairs,” he says. “Ladies first.”

As soon as I step through the hidden door, darkness engulfs me, all but for the red neon signs on either side of the wall, illuminating a narrow staircase leading to the basement. The distant echo of smooth jazz travels up the staircase, along with a hum of voices.

I pause for a moment at the top of the stairs, my heartthumping. The dull red glow of the neon lights makes it look like sin down there. Entering this speakeasy is the first time I’ll have purposefully done something illegal, and while I have confidence my presence will remain unknown, being here is still a little nerve-wracking.

But I can’t deny the allure of The Scarlet Mirage. A spark of excitement burns in my chest, the idea of doing something wrong, and I follow that lure, slowly descending each step.

As I make my way down, the music grows louder. The hum of voices becomes more distinct, mingling with laughter and the clinking of glasses. The air is filled with the scent of cigar smoke and liquor.

Finally, I reach the basement and turn the corner, finding myself standing at the entrance of a hidden paradise, transported back in time to the Roaring Twenties.

Everything captures the essence of the era, from the jazz band on stage to the Art Deco furniture and paintings. Even the people are dressed like they’re from the Prohibition era, the gentlemen in three-piece suits and the ladies in sparkly flapper dresses. I’m out of place in my pink sun dress. The sexy red dress I wore at Dan’s apartment would be more appropriate, but he made it clear that dress is for his eyes only.

“Incredible, huh?” Dan must see the amazement on my face.

“Now I understand why Felix makes a fortune off this place. It’s amazing.”

“Should we order that first drink of yours?”

I nod, and we make our way to the bar, through the many chairs and tables and people lounging on velvet couches. Dan passes me a drinks menu. I skim through it, seeing a list of cocktails with names I’ve never heard of.Chicago Fizz, Gin Rickey, Southside, Hanky Panky, and many more, all in the theme of the 1920s, no doubt.

“I’ll get a whiskey on ice,” Dan orders from the bartender. “Sis, what would you like?”

My gaze flicks to Dan’s, hearing the smug tone in the way he calls me his sister. The two of us have a silent conversation, Dan fucking me with his eyes, knowing I like how wrong the name sounds coming from his lips. I’m sure that’s why he said it.

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