Page 62 of Her Billionaire Boss
“It’s difficult to do that when the last time we were all together was at a sex island,” El-Mudad pointed out.
“And now you’re building an Ascend club in Manhattan, I hear.”Neil sounded like he was making a polite inquiry but knowing where he’d heard it from and the discussions Sophie and I’d had about it, the small talk was veering into business territory.
“And Sophie is going to come work for us?”Matt asked, looking around the table.
He better not have been looking for permission from her husbands, or we would be having a conversation about misogyny later.
Sophie nodded and reached for a bowl of salad and offered it to me while she responded.“Absolutely.As long as you’re aware that I won’t be a forever employee.I’m not good at sticking with jobs.”
I appreciated her self-awareness.
“You can come on as a consultant for the project, and if you decide to leave afterward, well.No harm done,” Matt said.“I know Charlotte is excited about the prospect.”
“Sophie is the most fashionable person I know,” I said, though my gaze canted to El-Mudad and his sort-of cheesy ensemble.Her fashion sense didn’t seem to have any sway over her husband.
“And you’re looking for investors?”Neil asked, gesturing to a tray of condiments.“Please, help yourselves.Sophie has kept us...informal.”
“I’ve housebroken you to not need seven courses and full service,” she said with a snort.“Charlotte, you have to try these fries.Sweet potato wedges and garlic aioli.Neil does them in the air fryer.”
I was getting whiplash from the bizarre conversation.On the one hand, I had billionaires talking about sex clubs, and on the other, a cheerful wife bragging up her husband’s skill in the kitchen.This couldn’t have been normal life for either side of the broad economic spectrum around the table.
Matt cleared his throat.“Investors, maybe.Early adopters would be better for word-of-mouth.”
“El-Mudad is a member at Black Orchid.They have a non-compete clause in their membership documents,” Neil explained.“And quite a hefty fee to break the exclusive membership.What is it that Ascend Manhattan plans to offer that Black Orchid can’t?”
Every single eye at the table turned to me.
I laughed nervously.“I didn’t realize I would be pitching today.”
Neil winced apologetically.“I’m sorry.I’ve put you on the spot.”
“No, it’s okay.”I didn’t want to blow this.I just didn’t know what, specifically, we were going to have to offer.I summoned up business Charlotte.The garlic aioli would have to wait.“We’re still very early in development, but our goal is to give our members the Ascend Red experience without leaving the city.Of course, some things will differ.We can’t legally offer sex with the staff, for one thing.But the element of limitless potential will still be there.Themed parties, whole floors dedicated to different kinks, exhibitionist spaces and private accommodations.Matt’s priority with his property is to make fantasies come true, and that’s a philosophy Ascend Manhattan will ascribe to, as well.”
“But you’re not thrilled with the name,” Sophie added, somewhat dampening my sales pitch.
“Nothing about the club is set in stone yet,” I said.“Except for the fact that it’s going to happen, and it’s being built with an eye to sustainability.The rooftop garden, for example, will be an outdoor space, indoors, with one-way glass so members can experience that freedom of outdoor nudity and debauchery without being on display to anyone but other club members.But in the summer, that glass will be replaced by a dome of solar panels that will still offer privacy but generate power for the rest of the building.”
“That’s very clever,” El-Mudad said.
“Charlotte is full of good ideas,” Matt said with a smile of pride that warmed me from my toes.
“I’m excited about this,” Sophie declared, and something about the way her husbands looked at her, their expressions a combination of resignation and indulgence, told me they were on board.
“And when do you think this club will be open to members?”Neil asked.
That was another thing we hadn’t decided on.Business Charlotte gave a vague projection.“We’re hoping to soft launch by next summer.”
Neil’s eyebrows rose.“That’s quite quick.”
“Well, when you’re not dragging all your staff and materials out to a far-off island, things get done faster.We close on the official location next week.”I glanced to Matt and noted his look of pleasant surprise.I’d forgotten to mention that part.
“Well, I think it sounds brilliant,” Neil said, finally stamping his approval on the idea.“Perhaps we’ll have the privilege of being your inaugural members.”
I almost mentioned that he should wait to hear the price tag but caught my tongue in time.These people were from a “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it” kind of world.Instead, I said, “I think that can be arranged.”
“And I’m happy to come on board as a consultant,” Sophie reiterated.“As long as it doesn’t interfere with our friendship, of course.”
“I don’t have enough friends on the east coast to let that happen.”Wow, did that sound desperate and sad?Because I felt desperate and sad.
