Page 8 of Reckless King

Iangle away from the man in the Phantom of the Opera mask who has his arm on the bar behind me. He’s standing so close the fabric of his shirt brushes my bare shoulder blade. I’m trying not to make a big deal about it because he hasn’t actually done anything wrong other than stand too close. And regardless of how normal this place appears, it’s still a sex club. Getting physical quickly is probably normal here. It’s just not normal for me.

“First time?” He slides another inch closer, clearly not reading my body language.

I give him a small, polite smile in return. “That obvious?”

He laughs. “Fresh meat is easy to spot.”

I recoil in response to his words and this time he notices.

“Sorry, bad joke. I just meant you have this whole baby deer thing going on. If you let me buy you a drink, I can help you get past that.” He tips his head down and runs his tongue over his lower lip as he rakes his gaze over my body.

This time, it’s a shudder that works its way through me. Being more forward here might be a thing, but there has to be a better way to do it than this. His demeanor isn’t intense or aggressive, but whoever he is—and assuming he’s a memberhere, there’s a good chance he’ssomeone—he has all the charm and tact of a gorilla.

Anna intervenes, putting a hand on my forearm. “Actually, we’re just going to have a couple of drinks and a dance, relax and have some fun out there. You know?”

Phantom’s friend lifts his chin, clearly getting the hint. “Come on, man. Let’s head to the back and catch some action. There’s supposed to be a shibari demonstration happening in one of the rooms.”

I have no idea what a shibari is, but I’m grateful that they’re going. I don’t want to be rude, though, so I smile at Phantom. “Thanks though. Enjoy the…” I’ve forgotten what the other guy called it. “Demonstration,” I finish, a little lamely.

Instead of moving away, he edges closer, making my hackles rise. “You could come with us. Shibari is?—”

He doesn’t get to finish what he’s saying, because a man wearing a devil mask comes out of nowhere. He stops next to Phantom, practically looming over him, since he’s several inches taller.

“I think the ladies have made themselves clear.” His voice is low, but it’s laced with steel.

My gaze darts back and forth between him and the men we’ve been trying to let down easy.

Phantom frowns. “I was just trying to be friendly.”

“Then you should probably practice being friendly in the mirror, because what you’re doing isn’t it. Take the very polite hint you’ve been given and walk away.”

Phantom looks at his buddy, then shakes his head. “No problem. We’re leaving.”

And without another word, they’re gone. Now it’s just Anna and me and the man in the devil mask. He’s tall, like I already noticed, and well built. The way his impeccably tailored white dress shirt hugs his broad shoulders and chest leaves no doubtas to the presence of muscles beneath. He’s not wearing a tie, and his top button is undone, revealing a small V of smooth tanned skin.

Out of nowhere, an image of pressing my lips against it flashes through my mind, and heat instantly smolders to life inside me.

Shaking away the thought, I drag my attention back to his face. Or, at least what I can see of it. A strong, smooth-shaven jaw and full lips with a seductive curve. In the dim light, the hair curling around his ears looks dark blond, and his eyes, shadowed by the mask, appear to be a light brown. It’s hard to tell. Regardless of their color, the amused gleam in them is unmistakable.

The amusement is no doubt due to him having just caught me blatantly checking him out. I flush and avert my gaze.

“Thanks for that,” Anna says.

I take in a steadying breath and focus on her to distract myself from the man standing in front of us and the way my pulse has started to race.

She widens her eyes at me, silently urging me to talk to him. I guess she thinks this guy is a better option than the two he just scared off. Although a part of me wonders if he might not be more dangerous.

Still, being polite doesn’t have to lead to anything more.

Unless I want it to.

I clear my throat, racking my brain for something to say. “Do you come here often?” I wince as soon as I say it. Could I have asked a more cliché question? Plus, I’m not sure I want to know his sex club attendance habits. I put up my hand. “Sorry, don’t answer that.”

His laugh is low, seductive. How is it even possible for a laugh to be seductive? “Let’s just say I’m not exactly fresh meat.”

I wrinkle my nose under my mask. “You heard that?”

“Unfortunately, Onyx can guarantee your physical safety while you’re here, but it can’t completely protect you from the idiots of the world.”

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