Page 31 of Christmas with my Three Best Friends

“Whatever we do, it needs to move quickly and it needs to grow fast,” he says. “I’m not throwing the towel in, but I’m not feeling much enthusiasm for it, either. I don’t want to put anybody out, but like I’ve said in the past, I’m not willing to inject any more cash into the business right now. I hope you all understand.”

Jax pats his shoulder with a nod of understanding. “I get you, brother. You’ve already done so much. It wouldn’t be fair of us to ask you to keep bailing us out. But we do need you by our side. Your whole network could be useful here, you know? Your bodybuilding connections, former colleagues, trainers, their clients… I mean, once we get some of the preliminary marketing materials together, could you at least forward everything to your contacts? You know it would help.”

“Tremendously!” I agree enthusiastically. “Your social media following alone should yield some new clients in January and February if you post the announcements.”

Richard thinks about it for a moment, absentmindedly scratching his red beard. “I’ll ask my secretary to share and post everything as soon as you send it to me.”

“Rick, I know we’ve been through plenty together, and I know we’ll get through this, too,” Marius tells him. “I just hope you’ll stay on board. Through thick and thin…”

“I don’t plan on bailing anytime soon,” Richard says. “But let’s finish the gym-related conversation here, okay? I don’t want to talk about West Key until we’re back in Seattle. There is still so much for us to do here, don’t you think?”

Almost immediately, I feel the heat rising up to my cheeks. “What did you have in mind?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper as I finish my wine.

“We haven’t tried the Leather Room,” he says, the corner of his mouth twitching. “I’ve been wondering what you might look like in a black leather outfit. The hostess gave me a catalogue to pick from.”

“Oh, really?” Marius tries not to laugh upon noticing the blush on my face. His hand reaches under the table, fingers grasping my thigh and squeezing gently. “See, Richard, now you’ve got me curious about the leather outfit, as well.”

Jax grins broadly. “Shay, I’m thinking us three guys could go over the catalogue together and pick an outfit for you. How does that sound?”

“Only if you plan on fucking my brains out while I’m wearing it,” I shoot back confidently as Marius’s hand works its way up my thigh. “Or after I take it off.”

Somewhere behind me, at another table, I hear a woman gasping and moaning softly. I’m pretty sure her husband is doing something deliciously dirty, much like at every other meal we’ve had in this place. Everybody is so shameless and horny all the time, it’s almost making me wish the rest of the world could be as open and as uninhibited as we are when we’re here.

I’m already slick with anticipation as I think about the leather outfit. Whatever they pick, I know I’ll get my fill in it. Judging by the hungry looks in the eyes of my men, I know they’re going to give me everything and more if I ask. But what I find most appealing is our ability to keep business and pleasure completely separate.

Part of me worried we’d fail on this matter.

So far, so good. I’m still in danger, sort of. I’m falling for them. I feel it. Every time I look into Richard’s wild green eyes. Every time I feel Jax’s lips on me. Every time I breathe in Marius’ scent. I’m falling harder and harder, and I’m not sure I have a working brake system. But at least I’m definitely and undoubtedly over Vincent. At least I have that.

11

Shay

Coming back to Seattle after a week of mad lovemaking and utter debauchery in Chappaqua feels like coming out of the longest, sweetest dream only to get smacked in the face by the real world. Yet I’m upbeat and spry about it. I’ve got more energy and a permanent smile on my face. Despite the gloomy winter, despite the constant switch between snow and sleet and ice-cold rains, despite the puddles and the high humidity… I find comfort and warmth at West Key Gym.

This is my domain, and I am the queen here. I certainly don’t act like the frickin’ monarch, but I do enjoy the feeling, especially since Richard, Jax, and Marius keep looking for the smallest of opportunities to spend time with me. At least we have locks on our doors and no cameras in our offices—it makes our clandestine encounters safer. I never thought I’d get serviced on top of my own desk before, but it seems to be Richard’s favorite late-night activity. If there are still customers in the gym, even better. He enjoys the edge of it.

I enjoy it, too.

Life after the Hedonerie Spa feels different. Better. Brighter.

The whole issue of missing stock and low sales seems like the kind of task that can be accomplished if it’s broken down into manageable pieces, so the guys and I have agreed to share the load. I keep forging ahead with my nutrition programs and online coaching via social media—which is usually just a taste of what my full-time clients get. Jax keeps developing his martial arts classes to appeal to a wider range of customers. And Marius works with Lyle to implement their evening fitness packages with my personalized menus as an option. Plenty of folks want to begin their fitness journey but don’t know where to start.

It can be overwhelming, especially in the beginning.

I’m walking around the gym with a fluttering heart after having just finished my cardio session on the treadmill. Marius is busy with another client, but he never misses an opportunity to steal a glance at me as I pass him by on my way out. It’s not too busy at this hour, especially since it’s early January and people are still on their winter holidays, but I did notice a small uptick in gym passes this week. I dare not feel too hopeful in the absence of our agreed-upon programs, yet I do smile more.

Once I reach the reception desk, I decide it’s time for a second coffee. Alice is busy swiping through her phone, hip-hop music blaring through the overhead speakers. For a moment, I forget where I am while mentally traveling back to the spa resort. Gosh, it was so beautiful and erotic. We brought the magic back with us, though. We spend nights together aplenty, but we also spend plenty of time on one-on-one dates. Marius takes center stage there, always eager to take us to one cool place or another. Tonight, we’re going ice skating.

I’ve never skated in my entire life and am understandably shaky about it, but he promised he’d make sure I don’t make a fool of myself, which is such a sweet and naive thing to say, considering my propensity for falling on my ass whenever I lose my balance. My mind flies back and forth and all over the place as I watch my coffee pour into the cup, a smile blooming on my face.

“What are you so happy about?” Alice asks. I must’ve been grinning for a while for her to actually notice.

“Nothing. And everything. I had a great week away, to be honest.”

“How were the Christmas holidays?”

Hands down the best I’ve ever had. The spa organized an intimate Christmas party behind closed doors. The tree was lavishly decorated in red, green, and gold, and the baubles were actually jewelry boxes. I got a lovely set of emerald earrings, and Santa brought me more items from my naughty list. My sex toy drawer is literally stuffed. I may need a second one.

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