Page 6 of Tempted By Eden

Shit. Definitely should have made more of an effort.

For a moment I hesitate, feeling underdressed and out of place, but I force myself to hold my head high. This might be way out of my comfort zone, but I’m here now. And I’m not going to blow it.

Chapter four

Cora

“Is this a brothel?”The question bursts from my lips, unable to be contained a second longer.

Madame Sophia gestures for me to sit in the luxurious armchair opposite her desk. Her office is as elegant and intimidating as she is, tastefully decorated with a blend of modern and classic elements. The dark timber desk dominates the space, flanked by bookshelves and art pieces, and a large frosted-glass windowpane stretches across the opposite wall.

Her lips curl into a slight smile as she takes her place behind the desk. If my outburst surprises her, she hides it well. “Eden is a unique establishment, Cora. We pride ourselves on providing an exclusive and sophisticated experience for our clientele. It requires a certain level of discretion, professionalism, and uniqueness. We cater to the discerning gentleman…” she pauses. “Who possess particular desires.”

“What kind of desires?” I ask, tilting my head. Anxiety grips me in a tight fist. I desperately need this job; Dad and Leo are counting on me. I can’t let them down. A cocktail waitress? Sure, I can do that. Buthooker?That’s a huge step I’m not ready to take.

Her sharp blue eyes appraise me, and I get the sense that she’s the type of woman who doesn’t miss a thing. “The majority of our clients come from wealthy backgrounds and hold positions of power. They consider Eden their playground for pleasure and debauchery. This place allows them to live out their fantasies in a safe, consensual way with our goddesses—but more importantly, in a private way.” She smiles with a practiced smoothness. “Privacy and integrity are everything at Eden—that’s why we have more than two hundred men on our waitlist.”

She still hasn’t answered my question.

“What does a goddess do, exactly?” I ask, sensing she’s avoiding a direct answer.

“There are two main roles,” she says carefully. “Goddesses serve drinks to the gentlemen in the bar and, if requested, may spend time with them privately, ensuring their needs are met in… various ways.”

I shift uncomfortably in my seat. “You didn’t answer me before… What kind of desires are we talking about here?” I do my best to keep the frustration out of my voice.

Her lips twist into a half-smile. “Let me show you instead.” She retrieves a remote from her desk drawer and walks to the window, motioning for me to join her. She clicks a button on the remote and the frosted glass clears, revealing the room beyond.

I gasp, my jaw dropping.

On the other side is a large, opulent room, with a bar and plush couches and cushions in black, gold, and deep red. It’s a striking contrast to the minimalist glass and marble of the foyer—exactly what I’d imagined for a gentlemen’s club called Eden.

The room is filled with well-dressed men in suits. Some sip from expensive glass tumblers filled with amber liquid, while others remain perfectly still, their eyes locked on the front of the room.

What captures my attention isn’t the decadence of the interior or the men, but the ten naked women kneeling on a raised platform. Their heads are bowed, and their faces are hidden by a curtain of hair. Each woman wears a delicate black ribbon collar around her neck. With their backs straight and knees slightly parted, the audience can see their glistening lower lips and the obvious arousal shimmering on their inner thighs.

Heat pools in my abdomen, settling in my core. I resist the urge to rub my thighs together. A groan almost slips out when my nipples push against my bra.

What the fuck is happening?

I turn to find Madame Sophia watching me intently. A knowing smile plays on her lips.

“Whatisthis?” I whisper, careful not to disturb the tension on the other side even though I’m sure they can neither see nor hear us.

“Our clientele consists of dominant men who seek the company of submissive women. Our establishment operates as a bar each evening, providing a secure and private space where guests can unwind, free from the intrusion of paparazzi or indiscreet members of the public. Our goddesses are on hand to serve drinks and offer companionship, allowing guests to become acquainted with them. This is solely about social interaction and does not involve any sexual activity.”

My eyes sweep across the bar, and I let out a startled sound when I recognize a few familiar faces: two high-ranking politicians, a Hollywood A-lister, a rugby player turned commentator, and—

“Is that…?” I murmur, squinting as I spot a famous musician.

Madame Sophia chuckles. “Our members come from a variety of professions,” she says.

It’s only then that I notice women seated at the men’s feet, arranged on various cushions. Barefoot and dressed in the same black satin gown as Hailee, they seem content, chatting with their clients and nuzzling their cheeks against their legs. Some of the men are gently stroking their goddess’s hair while watching the stage proceedings. However, a few of the men are unattended, their gazes trained on the women kneeling on the platform as if waiting for something to happen.

Madame Sophia pulls me from my thoughts. “Every Saturday night, we host Le Jardin. A select group of gentlemen may choose one of ten goddesses to enjoy for the evening, but spots are highly coveted and book up months in advance. At the start of the night, each gentleman draws a random number to determine the order of their selection. The goddesses are presented on stage, naked and posed in a traditional submissive stance.” She gestures to the women on stage. “This allows clients to select their goddess for the evening. The selection process itself is a form of foreplay, a precursor to the night’s activities. It caters to our clients’ dominant side through the presentation and appraisal of the female body, tapping into their voyeuristic tendencies. At the same time, it engages the exhibitionist and submissive attributes of our goddesses. It’s a potent combination, as you can see.”

Even from behind the glass, the room pulses with power, heat crackling in the air like static before a storm. My breath stutters as Hailee moves toward the stage.

“Ah, we’re about to begin,” Madame Sophia says.

---