Page 16 of Gilded Dreams

I take the pen with one hand while my other drifts back to my butterfly. “Shower?”

“Yes. All part of the pampering experience. Trust me. You’ll love it. Once you sign our ledger, you’ll be set for your evening to commence.”

I swipe the tip of my finger over the other names. So many people are looking for love or maybe just a connection. A place where they belong. “And what about the tattoo?” I’m not sure why I’m fixated on the few bits of information I found through my internet sleuthing, but the idea of belonging to a society as decadent and sinful as this one intrigues me as much as it scares me.

Charlotte smiles and her expression fills with understanding and patience. She rests her hand on mine for a moment before pulling back. “If you want to stay on as a key bearer after your first night with us, then you can extend your membership. Tonight is all about the experience.”

Understood. In other words, try the place out before getting the ink. Got it.

“Maybe I was getting ahead of myself. Thank you.”

“If you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’m here to make your stay as magical and fulfilling as possible.”

The air is warm and smells of leather and a few vanilla-scented candles I see burning on various shelves along the walls. They’ve gone to great lengths to make me feel welcome and at ease. I refocus on the pen and book, ready to sign.

“Oh, before you sign, there is one more thing we should discuss.”

My brows lift and my hand pauses over the book. I don’t think I can handle more surprises so my voice wobbles a fraction when I utter, “Okay.”

Charlotte pulls out a small paper with a few items listed out like rules, placing it on top of the open book.

I take the paper and read over the rules. Clean, on birth control, consent to having three lovers doing anything and everything I desire. Whoa. What now? My heart stops and I backtrack over the last bullet point.

Three lovers.

Not one.

Three.

Damn you, Justice.My heart is in my throat. So that is why the hefty price tag. Did this make me a hooker? An expensive escort. I’m essentially paying for sex. Right? Do I want this? I can walk, but then Justice will lose her payment. Besides, The Gilded Key Society has a reputation of always satisfying its clients. In my research not even a whisper of anything negative could be found about the place.

Seeing as I’ve made it this far, I scrawl my name in the next available space.

“Are these the signatures of the men I’ll spend the evening with? I can’t make out their names.”

Charlotte cants her head, gathers the book, and stands. “No, I’m going to them next. The shower is through there. Your partners for the evening will be here shortly. You’ll find everything you need in the bathroom. Only one more detail. Your phone.” Charlotte holds a hand out.

“A parting rule not on the paper?”

She nods. “You’ll get it back at the end of your evening. You need only request it at the front desk when you’re ready to depart.”

I hand it over. Now I know why there is limited information and pictures online.

“Privacy is one of our top priorities here at the Gilded Key Society. Yours and ours.”

And with that I am left alone in a fancy dress, a half-empty flute, and only one option.

I strip and head to the bathroom.

Charlotte is right. I pull the long lengths of my hair over my shoulder away from the dangers of getting wet and step under the spray. It hits me from the neck down and it feels heavenly. Not ten grand heavenly but close enough.

All kinds of soaps line a small shelf in the shower, and I opt for a lavender and honey body wash that lathers perfectly. “Merry ‘early’ Christmas to me,” I say in a sing-song voice.

I rinse and make quick work of drying off. Before heading back to the bedroom, I fix my hair and touch up my lipstick. Feeling fuck-iful to borrow my friend’s favorite word and feeling risqué I leave my towel in the bathroom and pad naked over to the bed.

Using my alone time, I take a chance and explore the room a little while I wait. Mosaics of lovers in various positions cover the high, rounded ceiling. They truly did not spare any expense in lavishing the Society with a wealth of visual stimulants. Believe me when I say no detail is left out. Next to the end of the bed sits a wooden chest. Curiosity wins out and I slide to the floor and pry it open.

Parts of me are terrified of what I find inside. But I’m dying of curiosity, too. I pick up vibrators in multiple sizes, a pink dildo, an orange one and one craft of smooth glass. Interesting. My fingers fall to the nipple clamps and...Oh. I pick up a velvet bag and marvel at what falls into my palm. A pretty silver anal plug with a sparkly crystal topper. So enthralled by my discovery of treasures I fail to hear the door open at my back.

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