Page 20 of The Assignment: Room 3

Me: Everything okay? Is Gracie ready for bed?

Mom: We’re watching Cars 2 and snuggling on the couch. Stop worrying!

Me: Kiss her from me. Love you.

I slip my phone into my back pocket as the doors open onto Venom’s lobby. It’s dark, sumptuous, and inviting, ensuring you want to indulge in decadent desire, but I have no plans to participate tonight. I’m just here to have a few drinks with Freya.

I scan the bar, but my best friend has either yet to arrive or she’s been lured into her husband’s playroom. Although, I should get used to saying ‘theirs.’ It’s as much her room as it is his now that they tied the knot.

My heart sinks a little at the thought. Not because I’m not happy for them but because I want what they have. I don’t just want to be every other couple’s plaything forever. We all know it’s fun when you’re in your prime—young, hot, free as a bird, and open to anything. I’ve never been free as a bird. I found the lifestyle just after I had Gracie. She’s my whole world, but my body craved something darker. The club has been a lifeline for me—a release in a controlled setting.

I gave myself to a man once before, and he abused my trust time and time again. But, I wouldn’t have the greatest love of my life if it weren’t for him—Gracie. I can hate her dad all I want, but a small part of my heart will always belong to him because he gave me a reason to breathe in and out.

My daughter gave me the strength to become a better person. Gracie will never know the woman I was before she was born. She willneverwitness me being a doormat and punching bag for a man.

The club is packed tonight. I didn’t expect it to be so busy on a Wednesday night. I suppose people are kinky all week long. I generally only come on a Friday or Saturday night when my mom can watch Gracie.

This is new for me, but with all the familiar faces I’ve grown accustomed to, Freya is nowhere to be found, so I take a seat at the bar and ask Eli for my usual.

“You’re messing with my head, sweetheart. You are never in here during the week.” Eli has quickly become one of my favorite people. He’s always ready with a warm greeting.

“I know. It’s wigging me out a little. I expected this place to shut down when I’m not here.”

“Oh, they miss you all right. I’ve heard you put on quite the show,” he says with a sly wink. Damn, he’s cute. More than cute. If it weren’t for the fact that he’s not in the lifestyle, I’d climb him like a tree.

God, it’s been too long since I’ve had a Dom who knows what I need.

There’s an uneasiness that settles in my chest. “You must think I’m a slut.” That’s what my ex used to tell me daily, even though it was him who wanted to share me with his friends.

Eli reaches across the bar, resting his hand over mine. “Look at me, Celest.” I force myself to meet his gaze. “I wouldneverthink that of you.”

“Really? You’re not in the lifestyle. That’s what most people think. What most guys think.”

“And they’re wrong. I may not be in the lifestyle, but I’m intrigued by the freedom of it all.”

“You are?”

“Yeah. Everyone has been nothing but kind to me since I took over as the bar manager. Do you know what I see when I look around this place?”

“What?”

“People are happy. Content. They don’t hide from who they are and what they want.”

“Sometimes I think it’s the opposite.”

“How so?” The tight-knit of his brow expresses genuine concern.

“Maybe we are here because we’renotcontent. Or happy. Maybe we are the ones hiding within these four walls, concealing who we really are.”

“Is everything okay?”

I shirk off my overshare. “I’m good. Just being way too morose tonight. I just need to get laid.” I chuckle, firmly putting my confident façade back in place.

“I could help you with that.” There’s a twinkle in his eye that tells me he knows what he’s doing when it comes to sex, but he’s not my type. He’s not a Dom.

“You definitely couldn’t handle me, Eli.”

“I’d give it a damn good try.” His voice is silky smooth and his smile absolutely panty-melting.

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