Page 6 of Gilded Lies

A moment later, I step off with another cordial, “Have a good evening, Ms. Lafleur.” Doors slide closed, and the attendant leaves me in blissful silence. What seems like an endless lake of liquid onyx extends in front of me. Up here, the warm light of the bottom levels is changed out for a sensual red that plays off whatever mood you’re in. Mine is reluctant acceptance? Anger? Frustration? So damn horny I can’t see straight. Is that an emotion? It’s a state of being, for damn sure.

Fuck. I’m all of the above and more.

I’m tired, too.

To my right I can enter a closed-off part of the club where my office is tucked into the back corner. To my left is where the key masters hole up when they are in town where sex, booze and a safe place to enjoy both are written into the membership contracts. It pays to be filthy rich, for damn sure.

Straight ahead is where the magic happens. I smirk at my thoughts. Magic. I never thought of hooking up with people for sex as magic, but tonight that is what it feels like.

The Golden Key Society inhabits the top six floors of one of the tallest buildings in the city, not including the rooftop. That is a whole other floor of indulgence I don’t need to think about right now. But anyone into exhibitionism thirty stories above ground level should check out the rooftop. It is the place to be seen. One floor for accepting members, another for galas and parties. And four more filled with rooms designed to fulfill fantasies.

I’ve worked here for two years, and I’ve never been inside a single one. And never will.

The corridor in front of me leads to ten rooms on this floor. Behind those black doors, any number of things are taking place right this second.

Freaking lucky souls.

I take a deep breath and turn toward my office. With no one watching me I can finally let my hands shake openly and not have to hide my jittery nerves. I drop my phone and clipboard on my desk. No man—much less three—has ever approached me before. Not and so blatantly want to have sex with me. It’s about as close to doing a line of coke as I’ll ever get.

Feeling light-headed, I loosen my hair and let the upswept twist tumble free. The relief to my scalp is bliss. Next I want to kick off my stilettos and get out of this too-tight dress, but I can’t go that far. Not until the sun is up and the club is closed for the day.

I drop my chin to my chest and rest my forehead against the window looking out over the darkened city.

“I wonder who they will find to replace me?” My breath fogs the window. I draw a heart in the condensation and then drag a ragged line through the middle. The perfect representation of my broken heart and non-existent love life.

“That’s just how your life is, Magnolia.” If I say it to myself enough times, maybe it will sink in.

Until then, I can just hide out in my office like any normal adult.

Late autumn rain washes over the large floor-to-ceiling panes. I press a heated cheek to the cool glass and let it cleanse my palate of everything I can’t have but crave with all my being. But I don’t have the luxury of hiding.

I grab my clipboard and step out of my office. I immediately sense the shift in energy.

I turn. Black meets startled green. I swear I hear a throaty growl. Genuine fear digs into my soul because I know I won’t escape these three a second time.

“Beautiful, what are you doing up here? Have you changed your mind?”

Two

Magnolia

Three men prowl in my direction. They are impressive, formidable, and all are looking at me like I’m prey.

I take a step back, ready to run into my office. But I grow still before bolting. Old fears rush over me before I get a moment to smother them in reality.

These three are not him. They are not here to hurt me.

Then why am I running? The hunger in their eyes, for one. The dark promises those few words hold for another.

“Gentlemen.” I offer in a steady tone, proud of how calm I sound.

The first man I met, the one with the white mask, stands straightening his cufflinks. He’s flanked on either side by the other men. Their black masks hide half of their faces. Red light washes over their handsome features.

White Mask steps closer and this time, instead of saying anything. Offering me a chance to back away or say no, he takes what he wants.

His lips are on mine, and his hands drive into my loose hair. This time I don’tthinkI hear a growl. IknowI do and he sounds like a starving beast.

His friends come up on either side and I’m in someone’s arms.

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