Page 16 of Allure
Marco coughed out a laugh as Asli’s smile widened. “Charming devil, huh? You have no idea how charming I can be, little star.”
A cell phone chimed. “That’s the contractor. She’s two minutes out. If this person doesn’t work for whatever reason, we have others we can call to work with.” Marco was back to business.
“This invitation for Orchard Tree legit?” Delilah asked, and Syra couldn’t get a read on her friend. She was no longer looking at Marco like she wanted to throttle him, but she was staring at Syra with questions in her eyes.
“Yes,” Marco and Asli responded simultaneously. “We’re both members and have been for quite some time now. You know the place?” Asli spoke, and Syra couldn’t keep the surprise off her face at the fact that both men were members.
Orchard Tree was like Lush in Ivywood—a sex club, but in this case it was a party hosted at someone’s house. They had monthly events, and there was a hefty price tag for the entrance fee since Orchard Tree operated as a business. Syra had read through some of the information they had online, but it wasn’t a lot considering the privacy surrounding it.
The fact that Marco had a membership with Orchard Tree shouldn’t have surprised her. She remembered the conversations they had when they dated. The list of fantasies they each had and had been willing to explore. She remembered how much they both enjoyed having sex in public places. She couldn’t stop her curiosity from whispering in her mind about what other things Marco partook in when he went to Orchard Tree.
Threesomes?
Group activities?
Watching others have sex?
“When’s the party, and is there a theme?” Delilah seemed to have let go of her earlier animosity and was now full of questions that Syra felt would lead to all of them going to Orchard Tree.
Traitor.
“It’s in a week, and it’s dress to impress. There’s no central theme other than wearing masks. Those will be provided at the door, so you don’t need to worry about getting those.” Marco listed the rest of the party details, and Syra could see both her friends salivating at the opportunity to go to an event like this.
Delilah and Kat had been regulars at Lush back in Ivywood, and Syra knew that for the most part, Kat missed having a place she could play in. She went on dates and tried to find those with similar tastes, but it wasn’t the same.
“So, is that a yes from you ladies? Networking will go a long way here for us. Orchard Tree is out of the way for most. Sirens being here in Lockwood, in this area specifically, will be a huge incentive to get people to pay our membership fees.” Marco couldn’t hide his smile, especially when Delilah and Katrina said yes at the same time.
Everyone looked at Syra, waiting for her answer. It wasn’t like she was going to be the only one to say no. She and her friends had made the decision that the majority would rule when it came to Sirens. This technically fell under that umbrella. Whatever information they got from Orchard Tree would benefit the club.
Keep telling yourself that.
Syra let out a breath. “Yes, though I have nothing to wear.” Delilah’s hands clapped excitedly, and Syra groaned, already envisioning the dress D was going to pick for her to wear.
The contractor picked that moment to walk in with a tray of coffee in her hands and a bright smile on her face. Everyone turned to face her, putting Marco and Asli standing behind Syra. She could feel their gazes on her—a phantom caress—and she had an insane urge to lean into both of them.
“Sorry, I got caught in traffic and figured I’d spring for coffee to make up for….” The contractor stumbled over her words before clearing her throat when she stopped in front of a smiling Katrina. “To make up for my lateness.”
“Esme, this is Ms. Santiago, Ms. Lopez, and Ms. Gutierrez,” Marco spoke, reaching around Syra to grab his coffee. His arm brushed against her shoulder, and she felt the heat of his touch down to her bones.
“Everyone, this is Esme,” Marco continued, and everyone took the coffees she handed them.
Syra took the cup to her lips, surprised when she tasted her favorite caramel macchiato. She chanced a quick glance behind her, but Marco wasn’t looking at her. He had been texting on the phone while they’d been here, and now she had to wonder if he had clued in Esme about her drink of choice.
Katrina hummed low in her throat. “Vanilla chai latte is my favorite.” She sent a quick smile to Esme who blushed. “How’d you know?” Kat turned toward Marco, and her smile widened when she heard Delilah groan when her cup touched her lips, indicating Esme had gotten her drink of choice right too.
Of course Marco got the drink orders right. He was a man who paid attention to the small, insignificant details.
Marco waved a hand in front of his face to ward off the attention and thanks he was receiving. “Anything you ladies need, Esme is the woman for the job. She comes highly recommended—I can email you those recommendations if necessary—and she’s a Garrison Inc favorite.” Marco kept his tone even, making sure the conversations stayed on the building and not the fact that he went out of his way to make sure Syra and her friends not only got coffee but their favorite kind.
Marco’s gaze locked with Syra’s as Esme and Delilah started talking shop. There was a softness to his features that warmed her body and made her heart melt. She didn’t want to bring Joel up, but she couldn’t help the comparison. Joel wasn’t thoughtful enough to spare her a second thought for the little things she enjoyed. He damn sure wouldn’t have gotten her friends anything either.
Marco was never Joel. It was why you fell for him in the first place. He saw you, even when you were hiding from the world.
Syra mouthed her thank you, her gaze shifting toward Asli who stood shoulder to shoulder with him. Asli’s charming smile was in place, and he winked at her, causing her body to heat for a completely different reason. She tried to stop her mind from traveling in the direction it was going. She tried to put her focus on what her friends and Esme were discussing, but they sounded muddled—miles away from where she was.
She wondered if Asli would remember the little details too. Would he remember her favorite food, her favorite color? Did he remember the way she liked to be touched when he watched her and Marco together?
Esme’s phone rang, breaking the line of thoughts running through Syra’s mind, and she was grateful for the interruption. She didn’t need to soften toward Marco or wonder what it would be like to have both him and Asli moving inside of her. Fantasizing about it behind closed doors, under the covers with her vibrator was one thing, doing it blatantly in their face was another.
