Page 23 of The Owner's Temptation

She huffs, clearly skeptical. “Good. Because if my best friend experiences her sexual awakening in a nine-story sex club without me there, I will never forgive you.”

I roll my eyes. “Well, lucky for you, one of my trainers is taking a group of the new girls toThe Masqueradetonight.”

Harper perks up immediately. “Oh? Now that sounds like an event I need to be a part of.”

I snort. “I don’t think plus-ones are allowed.”

Harper smirks, reaching into her purse and pulling out two silver coins, rubbing them together between her fingers. “Oh, babe, don’t forget I’ve got my own access.”

I shake my head, trying to focus. “Okay, well, the thing is…Ledgergirls getfullaccess. To all nine levels of Hell.”

Harper’s jaw drops for a single dramatic second before she lets out a gleeful squeal. “You better get in there and gofuck the Devil himself.” She clasps her hands together, eyes wide with mock reverence. “I hear he plays exclusively on the top floor.”

I snort. “Who do youhearthese things from?”

She shrugs, completely unbothered. “Adriano, of course.”

Before I can protest, she’s already grabbing her phone, fingers flying over the screen. A second later, she gasps, lighting up like a damn Christmas tree.

“He’s free tonight!” she practically sings, bouncing in place. “He’ll meet me at the club. Level Two.”

I stare at her, barely processing how quickly she locked in her plans. “You just summoned him like a damn demon.”

“Damn right,” she grins, wiggling her phone. “And now, we get ready.”

* * *

The Masquerade looms ahead, its sleek black exterior gleaming under the golden glow of its entrance, a quiet promise of indulgence and secrecy. The low thrum of music pulses beneath my feet, a heartbeat of something unknown waiting inside.

I’m dressed exactly as Eve instructed—all black. My dress is sleek, hugging my body in all the right places without being too revealing, paired with sky-high heels that make my legs look miles long.

Harper, in contrast, is a vision in white; theLevel Two: Lustcolor code. A barely-there mini dress, her signature confidence accompanies her.

An incredibly tall, muscular and tan man is looking at us like we’re walking steaks until I realize it’s Adriano. I hadn’t seen him since that night on the rooftop party but I notice my friends smile grows.

She looks like temptation wrapped in a bow, and she knows it.

She smirks at me as we near the entrance. “Ready, babe?”

“Go have fun.” I tease and she flips her hair over her shoulder, looking back as me.

“Go do all the things I would do.”

When she reaches Adriano he wraps an arm low around her back and pulls her in for a toe-curling kiss.

Yeah,situationship, my ass.

Just beyond them, I spot Eve and two other trainees.

I swallow, glancing up at the looming club doors.Readyis a strong word.

Tonight, is about applying what we’ve learned in training—holding ourselves with confidence, commanding attention without demanding it.

Eve said our wristbands would belook, don’t touchfor the night, a safety net for us to observe, to absorb, to ease into this world. But she said we shouldn’t worry about anyone approaching us anyhow.

No one will interfere with ablack mask.

A guest can only wear a black mask by invitation from the Devil himself.

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