Page 61 of The Assignment: Room 3

“Hear me out. What if you opened a restaurant in here?”

“What?”

“The clientele isn’t exactly afraid to spend money. We don’t have anywhere to sit and have a proper meal. Patrons come in here after work andafterthey’ve paid some other establishment for dinner. We still have a number of floors available. I have plans for some of them already, but you could do a rooftop on this building. It could be amazing.”

“Flex, you’re not just an ugly face.” He claps me on the back. “I might take you up on that. Let me run some figures.”

“Your jealousy of my chiseled features is sad.” We both laugh as Ryder signals Eli for drinks.

“What are you drinking? Jack and Coke?”

“Just the Coke.”

Ryder pretends to fall off the barstool. “What the fuck have you done with my friend, you imposter?” Eli lets out a belly laugh.

“I’m going to drive Celest home tonight.”

“That makes sense. You want to fuck her in the car, and Russell would cramp your style.”

“It’s cute that you think I wouldn’t fuck her with him in the car. He does enjoy listening to her take punishment like a good girl.”

“Fucking hell. I don’t know how you do it. I’m all for fuckinglike there’s no tomorrow, but I have no desire to have sex in front of people.”

“And yet you love to watch. Surely, it gives you a window into why we enjoy it?”

“Yeah. I love watching. It gets me hard as fucking steel, but I’m not going to whip out my cock and join in.”

“You’re missing out,” I say, taking a sip of my nonalcoholic drink. Ryder’s response has me wondering if I drink too much. I work, rest, and play in this building for the most part and usually with a drink in my hand.

“I’m with you, Ry,” Eli interjects. “I’m man enough to admit that I don’t think I could perform with a whole bunch of strangers staring at me.”

“So, it would be fine with people you know?” That one trips him up.

“No. I’m vanilla. I like to fuck a woman when we’re alone in a room. Bathroom stall at worst. I prefer to keep my sex life in an apartment. Hers or mine.”

“For my birthday, can you give yourself to Viv for the night? It would give me great pleasure to see her eat you alive.” Ryder and I descend into uncontrollable laughter.

“I’m going to take a hard pass on that one. Anyway, why aren’t we talking about your love life? Aren’t you dating Celest now?”

That gets Ry’s attention too. “Great question. Are you guys the next Venom sweethearts?”

“For a start, please never use that phrase again. I’m second-hand embarrassed for you. Second… none of your damn business.”

“Shit,” Ryder exclaims. “You’re into her. Fuck me.”

“No thanks. Your balls always slap my chin.” We almost got Eli for a second there, but I couldn’t keep a straight face.

“Golden retort.” Ryder is laughing so hard I think he might accidentally snort his drink.

“Celest and I have fucking glorious sex. She could definitely drop me to my knees.”

“Good to know.” Her voice is like velvet as she leans over myshoulder and presses a kiss to my cheek. “I’m definitely going to take you up on that one, Master Navarro.”

I immediately pull her round and into my lap. “You snuck up on me there, pet. I was just making them jealous that I get to have incredible sex with you tonight.”

“Maybe they could watch. Or join in.” I’ve made that offer a hundred times over the years, and that was with subs I was contracted with. Hell, Celest and I go together on the voyeur floor during someone else’s scene, and yet there’s a twinge of territorialism blooming in my chest.

“No joining in tonight, but you know Ryder will come and watch you if you want to go to level two.”

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