Page 34 of Room Twenty-Three: Tangled & Teased

I’m sure Beau is too.

“We will undress you, Erin. The three of us.” I’m not sure if Jove is testing Erin the whole time, waiting for her to back out and flee from the arrangement.

But she doesn’t.

Her eyes flit from me to Beau and to Jove and then to me again. And it’s me who she gives her nod, which makes my heart sing.

“Good girl,” I whisper.

Chapter 12

Erin

Aftershowingourpassesat the security gate, the car drives beyond the wrought iron privacy gate, and onto the large grounds of the club. My heart is pounding as loudly as the wheels crunching over the gravel driveway. But strangely, the beat calms when we reach a roundabout and the car stops outside the mansion’s entrance.

I want this.

It feels strange this time, because the last time I was here, I never looked at Club Sin the way I’m looking at it now. Now I know exactly what it homes; the kinks and darkness that goes on inside this beautiful house. It’s different from what I first thought a club like that would look like. I had the idea in my head that it would be dark but glamorous. Instead, it’s more like a house and reminds me of the one in the movies—innocent white walls of the perfect plantation home on the outside. But when inside, everyone can see what the immaculate exterior is hiding.

Atty holds his hand out for me. I take it and step out of the car. Soon the four of us are inside and listening to the sounds of jazz music playing in the background. We step toward the bar.

“Do you need something to calm your nerves, Erin?” Beau asks. His hand ghosts over my bare shoulder and I shiver at his touch. But then, who wouldn’t?

Jove stares behind the bar, still considering the question of me drinking alcohol. And just when I think he is going to veto the idea, he speaks to the bartender and hands me a tumbler with bourbon. I know the drink. My father drinks it all the time at home, and occasionally I have joined him—mainly when he needs to talk.

“Thanks,” I say, taking the glass, raising it to my nose as I inhale the spicy caramel scent, and catch Jove looking at me.

He is the silver fox of the three men. His eyes are as pale as the sky on a frosty day and his perfect face crafted by an artist. He’s probably the most polished man I’ve ever come across. A man comfortable with his looks and one who has let nature take its course, allowing his dark hair to lighten into a silvery hue. But as much as Jove has a carefully crafted persona, secretly, I believe he is hiding something that he refuses to let go of.

I turn away and my eyes catch a couple walking up the staircase.

“Let’s go,” Jove whispers in my ear.

My feet pad over the hardwood floors as I glance all around me. I’m noticing much more this time. Seeing the opulence, the expensive artworks that don the walls but the house still keeps its southern atmosphere.

I exhale. My nerves are tingling from excitement, knowing how close each step is to getting what I want.

A girl is being auctioned on the stage as we pass by. Curiosity slows my feet. I’d like to stay and watch, see what she earns for whatever she offered, but today room twenty-three is calling—I can’t wait.

We stroll to the open caged elevator at the rear, and once inside, Beau presses for the fourth floor. It’s getting so close to my time, and I’m suddenly noticing how much blood pounds in my ears. Because this isn’t the first time I’ve been in this elevator, but it’s the first time my stomach turns with apprehension at what is coming.

I’m surrounded in the small space by the three men who tower above me, making me feel protected, not scared.

As the elevator rises, the hammer drops and I hear what the girl won. I smile, happy she made fifty thousand dollars. Maybe I should have stayed with my plan. Sold myself. Perhaps that way it wouldn’t only be for one night.

Atty stares at me. Just like Beau and Jove, he looks gorgeous in his suit. But I know Atty is the brute of the three men. A warrior with brown hair, thick brows and full whiskers that grace his chin, but with shorter bristles against his perfect square jaw.

He is gruff in appearance but his eyes are gentle, a soft hazel color which are gazing at me. “Are you okay?” He leans forward and whispers in my ear, causing goosebumps to pop on my body with his lingering touch.

He does that to me. I wish he didn’t. I glance at the three men scrutinizing me.

The elevator rattles as it stops, the door slides open. I smile at Atty and nod. “Never better.”

He takes my hand, clutching it tightly, as the four of us stroll the final corridor to room twenty-three.

Right now, I don’t know if one night will be enough.

Inside room twenty-three, the soft jazz music from downstairs pipes through the corner speakers. It’s enough background noise to make me feel calm, but not enough to stop me from thinking.

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