"What do you want us to do?" Spike questions, his muscles nearly ripping the button-down shirt he's wearing, he's so tense.
"Oh, nothing much. Rather, something I'm sure you've done before if you are truly here looking for a third. We want a show."
There's no holding Spike back this time. He grabs my hand and yanks me behind him. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"You two want a third to join you; I think you should show us exactly what that third will be joining in on. There's no judgment here."
I blink a few times, trying to process what he's saying.
"Are you suggesting that we have sex in front of you to prove that we aren't spies?"
Zed's grin takes on a sneer-like quality. "That's exactly what I'm suggesting. A couple as free-spirited as you, a couple who is deep enough into our contacts to warrant an invitation to a private party, should have no problem with a little carnal display."
Spike surges forward and I have to put a hand on his chest to keep him from getting too close to Zed.
"Fuck that. I'm not going to force my woman to do anything like that. She's mine and mine alone. Who we choose to share our sex life with is our fucking decision. If you think I'm going tolet you strong-arm us into giving you a fucking thrill, you're out of your mind," Spike snarls.
"That's going to be a problem then. 'Cause you see, we're not going to let you leave until you do. If you can't do it, there's no way I can be sure you're not a cop or the feds. We don't want to go down that road, do we?" The crowd of men gets closer to us, and I know within seconds this is going to turn into a fight. A fight Spike isn't going to be able to win.
I look around the crowd, and in the back I see Lash and Tella but not Creek. Even if the three of them came to our defense right now, we'd still be outnumbered.
My heart drops to my feet. The sound of people walking around, talking, and drinking seems to be getting lower. I don't know if it's because I'm starting to panic or because we have just become the center of attention. Either way, I know that we have to play this right.
It's not the sex. I've had sex with Spike hundreds if not thousands of times before. It's the fact that these slime balls are going to be looking at us while we connect like that.
"We don't have all day. There are other guests that deserve our attention as well," Zed snaps.
"I don't care what your problem is. I'm not doing anything she isn't comfortable with," Spike snaps back.
I have to stop this.
"We'll do it." I step forward and say it loud enough to get over the two of them arguing.
"What the fuck?" Spike turns to me. Anger on his face but dread clear in his eyes.
"We have sex all the time. A little audience might just be the thrill I'm searching for." I say with a smile on my face. The smile is for Zed and his people, but I pray that Spike can read the truth in my eyes.
We have to do this. It's the only way to get out of here.
"No, I won't." Spike lowers his voice and speaks directly to me.
"There is perfect," I say aloud and grab hold of Spike's hand as I lead us toward a long upholstered bench.
"What the hell are you doing?" Spike mumbles behind me. His grip is strong on mine.
I turn to kiss him, but as I get closer to his ear I whisper, "It's going to be okay. It's the only way they'll trust us. We have to get out of here."
Spike groans and squeezes his eyes shut. His entire body is shaking. I know he doesn't want to do this. He would never expose me like this.
"I can't do this to you," he whispers again, moving closer to kiss the side of my mouth.
"It's okay. I know you don't want to. I know you don't want to hurt me. I'd rather it be you than one of them. Please, Spike. Please."
He pulls back and stares at me. He must just be realizing that if we don't do this they are going to hurt me. He won't be able to save me. This really is the only way.
"You're still... clean?" I mutter.
I don't want to know how many women he's been with after he and I broke up, but I know, based on the club lifestyle, that it must be a lot.