Page 12 of Play It Sinful

Churches usually have a wooden partition before you enter the big atrium, and it’s the same here. Two tall and broad-shouldered guys wearing dark button-down shirts and slacks are standing in front of it. Their faces are partially hidden by simple black masks.

I move closer to Scarlett and whisper, “Is this supposed to be a kink party?”

She laughs nervously. “Of course not. Relax.”

Yeah, I don’t buy her reply. She’shopingit isn’t. Maybe I should have asked more questions. The tequila I drank before coming here is the only reason my anxiety isn’t going through the roof right now.

“Welcome ladies.” One of the guys smiles broadly. He has a strong jaw and a dazzling smile. Even with the mask, I can tell he’s good looking.

“Ryder? Is that you?” Kadence asks.

“Oh, I can’t answer that. The theme of tonight’s festivities is cloak and dagger. All guests must wear a mask.” He hands a black mask to each of us.

I look at mine but hesitate to put it on.

“Don’t worry. This isn’t a kink party. I promise,” the guy Kadence believes to be Ryder says.

Yikes. He must have overheard me.

“It’d better not be. Mask or no mask, I’ll find you if you’re lying.” I tie the mask in place.

He leans closer. “And then what? Will you punish me?”

He’s flirting with me, and I don’t mind. “Maybe.”

His lips curl into a grin. “Have fun, ladies. Oh, and don’t worry about showing your IDs.”

My face is still warm from that short exchange when Kadence grabs my arm as soon as we walk into the party, and squeaks, “Oh my God. Ryder Westwood was totally putting the moves on you.”

“You don’t know if that was him,” I reply.

“I’m ninety-nine percent sure it was.”

“Who cares if that guy was Ryder?” Scarlett chimes in. “He was hot anyway.”

She isn’t wrong, but I won’t spend the night looking for him. I never had to chase guys before, and I won’t start now.

I take a moment to scan the place. They kept the church’s backbone, but mercifully, no relics are on display. Either way, Mom and Chris would think this is blasphemy. The room is loud and dark. The only source of illumination is the purple and blue lights that change to the beat of the music. It’d be impossible to recognize anyone even without masks.

“Wow.” Scarlett takes everything in with her mouth agape. “I’ve never been to a party like this. Have you?”

“No,” Kadence says, while I reply, “Yes.”

They both look at me, and Scarlett asks, “Really?”

“Yep. I attended a private school in Boston. Some of my classmates were wealthy beyond measure.”

“Wow. Lucky you.”

I’d tell her it wasn’t a big deal, but I don’t want to come across as a snobby bitch. Hanging out with rich kids was my normal, and I forgot that most people don’t experience that.

“Let’s get a drink!” Kadence yells over the music.

“Okay!” I yell back.

Kadence leads the way followed by me, then Scarlett. The place is already crowded, and getting to the bar is a slow process.When we finally reach our destination, I turn to Scarlett to ask what she wants, but she’s gone.

“Where did Scarlett go?” Kadence asks.

---