Page 26 of Wilde In His Arms

“What kind of experiences are you talking about?”

She actually smiled.“If a member wants to set up a special evening in his suite to celebrate a special occasion or romance his…partner…”

That pause made him wonder about the types of couples she’d seen here.He believed that love is love and everyone should be with the person who made them the best version of themselves.So long as they were of age and consenting.

Of course there were probably a lot of lovers meeting here undercover.Probably a lot of trysts with mistresses.

But was she hinting at something salacious or deviant just to taunt him?Or was he reading too much into her words because of this type of case?

“We are happy to set the scene and create the perfect ambiance for their experience.For our members, nothing is too big an ask, or out of the realm of possibility.Given enough time and money to pull it off, of course.We aim to please, even the most discerning members.”

“Of course.”

“Most of the guests are satisfied with the entertainment we provide in the club and community spaces.Many of our members are in the entertainment industry and like to perform for the guests at times.It’s not uncommon to find a rock star or musician playing somewhere on the grounds and drawing a crowd.”

“I bet that’s something to see and hear when it’s such a small gathering compared to a huge concert venue.”

“I think that’s why they like to do it, too.And here, they aren’t swarmed by fans but appreciated by others who understand that here they are among people like them.”She obviously loved her job and being here.

Who wouldn’t?It seemed like an ideal place.

But was there something darker he was missing?

“Now, I have a lot of work left to do before my shift ends.If there’s nothing else…” She shooed him toward the door.

He didn’t push, not now, and pulled out his business card from his suit pocket.“If you hear from Javier, or he tells you anything about where he is or what he’s doing, call me.”

She took the card, but didn’t even look at it.

He had a feeling it would end up in the trash the second he left the room.

She waved her hand out toward the door.“I’ll see you out.”

“Not necessary.You go ahead and finish checking the suite.I know you didn’t just come up here to check the fridge and supply of booze.I can find my way out.”

She nodded and crinkled his card in her hand as she fisted it at her side.“As you wish.”

He wondered how often she said that phrase to members here.“I hope your mother feels better soon.”

“Thank you, Agent Gunn.”So formal.Another skill learned on the job here.

But he let it go and walked out of the suite.Instead of going to the elevator, he took the stairs down to the next floor.He wanted to check things out.Something about the way Julia spoke and acted set off a niggling in the back of his mind that not everything was as it seemed with her.

He expected her to be proud of working her way to the position she held now.But she seemed almost defiant about it.And also like the position gave her some sort of power over the people she was meant to serve.

It was strange.

The fourth floor was much like the fifth, with one extra door.He took the stairs down to the third floor and stared through the small window as Julia walked out of the elevator they’d used earlier and went to one of the guest room doors that had a sign on it.He couldn’t read it from here.He opened the stairwell door just as the guest’s room door opened and she rushed inside.The door closed immediately.

Odd.

He waited in the alcove, hoping no one discovered him lurking in the stairwell, peeking through the window.

He wondered whose room she’d gone into.Javier’s?

In only a few minutes Julia came out of the room, pushing a rolling cart in front of her.It looked like one used for a coffee station.

Suddenly a man came into view, dressed in slacks and no shirt, his feet bare.Definitely not Javier.“Tell him I didn’t mean to break it.It was an accident.I swear.You’ll tellhim, right.”The man seemed almost panicked as he pulled a wad of cash out of his pocket and dropped it onto the cart.“That should be enough to make it right.If not, I’ll pay more.”

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