Page 89 of Taking Chances

There’s a small, iron sign above the door, signaling we’re at the correct place—L&L. Inside, Lennox leads me through an unassuming hallway, all the way to the two massive security guys guarding a heavy blackout curtain.

“IDs, please,” the slightly shorter one says. I scramble to find my ID inside of my clutch. The security guy checks our cards, returns them, and nods for us to head inside.

Lennox pulls the curtain for me. Sensual music travels through the speakers. A large, flashing Lace & Leather sign adorns the wall above a black reception desk. A cute guy in his early twenties works the desk.

“Good evening,” the guy says with a smile. He’s dressed in formal wear, dress pants and a dark gray shirt. He also has a collar around his neck, a black leather one with a metal ring in the middle. My breathing picks up—this is it, we’re here.

“Good evening. We have a reservation, under the name Cade.” Lennox slips him a black card.

The guy does a few taps on his tablet before saying, “Here it is.” A few more taps. “You’re in luck to have caught an opening. The extra private rooms have been booked out months in advance ever since we opened them.”

“T-the extra private rooms?” I ask, my voice shaking.

“Yes. We have a set of private rooms that are entered from the main bar. But some of our clients prefer complete privacy, so we opened rooms that are entered from here, meaning you canbe completely incognito coming in and out,” the host explains, giving me a soft smile.

“Oh.” I release a bated breath. “That sounds nice.” The fact that I won’t have to be seen by people, everyone knowing exactly what we’ll do, is beyond comforting.

Lennox presses a hand to my lower back. “Told you I’ve got you.” I nod, knowing he does. “And the other things? They’re ready?”

“Of course, Mr. Cade. Everything is like we talked about via email.”

What the hell does he have planned?

“Good.” He takes the key the host is holding out to him.

“Remember your safety and have fun!” The host grins at me, making me blush.

It’s nerve wracking, not knowing what the hell is about to happen, but a part of me is grateful for the unknown. It stops me from overthinking. From finding all the reasons why I shouldn’t be doing this.

The doors we enter through look heavy, but Lennox has no problem opening them. Complete silence envelopes us, any music from the bar snuffed out. The hallway is mostly dark, softly lit by the black sconces on the wall. On the right wall, there are three doors.

Lennox walks me to the furthest door and unlocks it. The small room we walk into is more lighted than the hallway, but it’s not what I expected.

“What’s this?” I ask, exploring the space wide-eyed.

“A locker room,” he calmly responds.

“A locker room?” My face scrunches up.

“Yes. It’s an actual locker room, not a kinky one. Though it can probably be used for that, too.” He shrugs. “Come on.”

He leads me to the second door. This room is massive, decorated like a hotel suite. A dark, dungeon-looking hotel suite.The walls are concrete, except one that’s covered in a giant mirror. The floors are shiny and black. My gaze is drawn to the enormous bed across from the mirror, but there’s also a makeshift living room with leather couches and a full gothic dining room. A few things don’t look like they belong in a hotel. For example, the giant bowl of condoms on the dining table, or the chains on the ceiling, or the barely detectable hooks on pretty much every piece of furniture.

“Sit with me.” Lennox taps the space on the bed, right next to him.

I do, my eyes still traveling the room.

His finger raises to my face, moving a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’ve done well so far.” His touch sears into the skin of my cheek. “And this is your reward.” My eyes find his, already dark with desire. “You’re going to follow my lead, OK?” I nod. “You will give me a color when I ask you to.” I nod again. “And you’ll trust me to make you feel good.”

My nod is slower this time, but I’m transfixed by his eyes. He touches his lips slowly to mine, and I arch into him, a whimper escaping my throat.

“Not yet, Firecracker.” He smirks. Getting up from the bed, he stands across from me, folding his arms in front of his chest. “Now take all your clothes off. Leave them here on the couch.” He nods to the leather sectional. “And wait until we get back—on your knees, your head down.”

We?

“Uhm…” My voice cords struggle to form a question, but he cuts me off.

“I won’t repeat myself.” His tone is calm but commanding. I nod again, and he leaves the room.

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