Page 6 of Room Six

Feeling light-headed, I loosen my hair and let the upswept twist tumble free. The relief to my scalp is bliss. Next I want to kick off my stilettos and get out of this too-tight dress, but I can’t go that far. Not until the sun is up and the club is closed for the day.

I drop my chin to my chest and rest my forehead against the window looking out over the darkened city.

“I wonder who they will find to replace me?” My breath fogs the window. I draw a heart in the condensation and then drag a ragged line through the middle. The perfect representation of my broken heart and non-existent love life.

“That’s just how your life is, Magnolia.” If I say it to myself enough times, maybe it will sink in.

Until then, I can just hide out in my office like any normal adult.

Late autumn rain washes over the large floor-to-ceiling panes. I press a heated cheek to the cool glass and let it cleanse my palate of everything I can’t have but crave with all my being. But I don’t have the luxury of hiding.

I step out of my office and immediately sense the shift in energy.

I turn. Black meets startled green. I swear I hear a throaty growl. Genuine fear digs into my soul because I know I won’t escape these three a second time.

“Beautiful, what are you doing up here? Have you changed your mind?”

Two

Magnolia

Three men prowl in my direction. They are impressive, formidable and all are looking at me like I’m prey.

I take a step back, ready to run into my office. But I grow still before bolting. Old fears rush over me before I get a moment to smother them in reality.

These three are not him. They are not here to hurt me.

Then why am I running? The hunger in their eyes, for one. The dark promises those few words hold for another.

“Gentlemen.” I offer in a steady tone, proud of how calm I sound.

The first man I met, the one with the white mask, stands straightening his cufflinks. He’s flanked on either side by the other men. Their black masks hide half of their faces. Red light washes over their handsome features.

White Mask steps closer and this time, instead of saying anything. Offering me a chance to back away or say no, he takes what he wants.

His lips are on mine, and his hands drive into my loose hair. This time I don’tthinkI hear a growl, IknowI do and he sounds like a starving beast.

His friends come up on either side and I’m in someone's arms.

No words. Nocan weormay we. All three take what they want.

God and all His angels need to look away because this time I’m not stopping this sin from happening.

A whimper catches on my lips and it takes everything I have not to beg for them to take me right here and right fucking now. I fight not to release all the emotions burning through my body like rocket fuel sizzling every cell of my body from the inside out.

Hands caress, squeeze and light a fire across every inch of skin their touches can find. Thin silk doesn’t hide much and these men know exactly where to stroke and kiss.

Lips fall over my tattoo. I never imagined a man working my ink, but the one with the braid traces every line with the tip of his tongue.

“Petals,” he murmurs so damn seductively the virgin walls of my pussy clench. “So damn sweet.”

The one with the braid has found a few glitter spots his friend left behind.

No names, no pressure, I remind myself when my lips move to ask his name. Someone lifts me, and I wrap my legs around them. I can’t tell who because one of them has my mouth in a kiss so delicious I can’t find it in me to lift my eyelids and break the spell that has fallen over us. A hand claims my chin, and another takes my mouth. This one is gentle.

At first. And then he turns ravenous. His tongue dips, curls against the roof of my mouth and then captures my tongue when I gasp with surprise. He sucks, nibbles and then repeats the toe-curling string of events all over again.

I fight the hold he has on me and finally open my eyes to see it’s the silent one. Light brown hair. Strong jawline. Perfect fucking lips.

---