Page 70 of Heart on Ice

Sam nods. I know he is just looking out for his sister. “How are things with Issy going?”

“She doesn’t hate me as much so … I take that as a win,” I tell him as I take a sip of my water.

“There’s nothing going on between the two of you?” he asks.

“Um, no, why?” I ask defensively.

“Hey. I don’t care if there is it’s just, I come bearing gifts and I thought you’ve been here locked up in Issy’s home for the past couple of weeks with nothing but your hand for company.” He grins, sliding a box toward me.

I take the black box and open it. Inside is something that looks like a credit card with the words The Paradise Club on it and nothing else except a barcode and a number. “Oh wow,” I say, staring at a key that gets me into this world of sex clubs. “Thanks.”

“Don’t thank me just yet. There are very strict rules to this club. A bit like fight club, no one talks about fight club,” he warnsme seriously. “Guard this card with your life. If you see anyone at the club outside the club that isn’t like us, do not mention the club. We value our exclusivity and clientele it is the only reason something like this can succeed without the gossip pages finding out. I trust you.”

“Thank you.”

“And just so you know, Bill Reeves and Kitty are not members, I checked. This is kind of breaking the rules, but I just needed you to know you were safe. Now I can’t guarantee you won’t run into anyone else you know so remember your secret and everyone else’s secrets are kept safe.”

“I understand,” I tell him.

“So, you going to go check it out tonight? I’d say let me take you but that might be weird, plus I have a thing so enjoy,” he says, getting up from his chair.

“And again, thank you for this. I really need it.”

“Go forth and have fun, you deserve it.” He grins before giving me a wave and walking out the door.

Because Sam came over, I didn’t get to have my jerk off session. I messaged her and asked for a raincheck, and she agreed. Issy is probably going to be in a bad mood when she gets home with all the pent-up tension, and I can’t wait.

I hear the keys in the front door and Frankston rushes toward it, and moments later, I hear here giggles as he greets her.

“Did you have a good day, boy?” she asks. It’s very sweet how much she has fallen in love with my boy. She found a doggy bakery the other day and now brings him home treats which he has after his dinner.

“Hey, how was your day?” I ask her as soon as she enters the kitchen.

“Okay. How was yours?” she asks cautiously.

“Interesting. I’ll tell you about it during dinner. The table is set if you want to crack open the champagne and pour us each a glass,” I tell her.

“Champagne, are we celebrating something? Did The Mavericks offer you a contract?” she asks excitedly.

“Not yet, they said they would be in touch next week.”

I hear the champagne bottle pop and watch as she pours us both a glass while I bring over the beef goulash I made. We settle in at the table and suddenly I’m nervous. I’m not sure what she is going to think when I tell her I’m now a member of The Paradise Club.

“So, what are we celebrating?” she asks, holding up her glass of champagne to me to clink before she takes her first sip.

Spit it out, Pierre. “You’re looking at the newest member of The Paradise Club.” I grin, clinking our glasses together. She follows the motions but stays quiet until she realizes she hasn’t congratulated me.

“Oh wow. Congrats. I’m sure you must be happy about that. Now you don’t have to wonder what it’s about anymore,” she says, clearly affected by this news as she takes a large gulp.

“I guess not,” I tell her as I start to dig into my dinner. “I was kind of hoping to go check it out tonight.” Issy drops her cutlery which makes a loud sound before hurriedly picking it back up again.

“You should,” she says through gritted teeth.

“You don’t have anything to say about it?” I ask, annoyed that she is ignoring everything we have been doing this past week like I’m her dirty secret.

“No. You’re single. You can do what you want.”

Now it’s my turn to drop my cutlery. “Seriously? You have no feelings about me going to a sex club and fucking someone else?” Her knuckles turn white as she grips her fork and her cheeksburn brightly. She’s not happy at all about that thought. She’s jealous. Good.

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