Page 5 of Reckless Desire

“Exactly,” Dominique affirmed. She met her friends’ eyes, determination etched into her expression. “I’ve worked too hard to get to where I am. Rebuilding this life after Xan, this persona, and I won’t let … no, I refuse to let anyone threaten what I’ve achieved. Even if it means cutting ties with someone who has been important to me.”

Chasity nodded in acknowledgment. “Oh, beau thang, you know I agree with you. It just caught me off guard for a second. Hell, emotions only muddy the water.”

“That part.” Dominique’s fingers traced the leather harness hanging in front of her, an idea taking shape in her mind. She could feel the excitement bubbling up within her as she revealed her plan to Chasity and Shavonne. “But tonight, we’re going to put on a show. It’ll be his final request and a way for me to end our relationship on my terms.”

“Damn, Ari,” Chasity’s eyes widened with anticipation. “That’s one hell of a way to say goodbye.”

Dominique replied, a wicked grin tugging at her lips. “He’ll never forget who he belongs to, even when we’re no longer together.”

“Girl, you’re gonna own that stage,” Chasity said confidently, her voice laced with conviction. “You’ll show everybody that love has no place in your world. You were always meant to rule over others. I am here for it. Yasss Queen, yasss!”

Shavonne joined Chasity in snapping her fingers. As they prepared to leave for the club, Dominique couldn’t help but revel in the thought of how her performance would shock and delight the audience.

“Alright, ladies,” she said, her voice steady and resolute as she looked back into the mirror. “Let’s do this.”

Dominique turned away from the mirror, her friends flanking her as they made their way toward the door. The click of their heels echoed through the lavish foyer of her home, a rhythmic reminder of the power they carried with them.

“Oh, it’s about to go down!” Chasity bellowed out.

Her laughter rang out like a bell, breaking the tension that had been building in Dominique’s chest.

Shavonne teased, giving them both a playful nudge. “We’re like the sexy Three Musketeers, aren’t we?”

“Damn right, we are,” Chasity agreed, grinning.

Dominique felt a familiar pull tugging at her senses as they stepped out into the cool Chicago night. The scent of leather and arousal seemed to linger on every breath, and the distant thud of bass from the club beckoned her like a siren’s call.

Don’t hold back tonight, Ari,she thought to herself as they climbed into the sleek SUV, waiting to whisk them away.

“Are you ready for this?” Chasity asked a few minutes later, breaking up the silence of their ride.

“More than ever,” Dominique replied, steeling herself against her nerves. She stared out the window, watching the city lights blur past as they headed toward their destination. Dominique could feel the anticipation wrapping around her like a coil the closer they got.

As the SUV pulled up to the entrance of Club Desire, the pulsating beat of music grew louder, its vibrations rippling through the air like an electric current. Dominique felt it course through her veins, igniting a fire in her core that she knew could only be quenched by the night’s events.

As the group stepped out of the SUV and up to the entrance of the club, Dominique declared loudly and with conviction, “Okay, ladies! It’s showtime!”

Love is like a chess game. You never know when a new piece will enter the board. It is never won and lost, only played for higher stakes.

~Unknown

Chapter 3

Vincent glanced out the tinted windows of the SUV, noticing the driver made a turn that’d taken them off the normal streets of the city. After driving for a while, he realized they’d entered an old manufacturing district where many of the warehouses had been restored. Eventually, the driver pulled to a stop just outside a three-story brick building with windows that stretched all the way up. All the glass was shrouded in darkness. The only light he could see came from a glass-paned entrance.

Vincent twisted his head to the left, his voice low and authoritative. “Ready, Doll?”

CoCo kept her head lowered but smiled. “Yes, Boss. I am.”

He cracked a half-smile, his hand firmly gripping the leash attached to the delicate collar encircling her neck. After exiting the vehicle, they walked up to the door. Like the black card MJ had given him, there was a black plate next to the door with a gold mask etched in it. He knew he was in the right place. He opened the door, allowing CoCo to enter before him. She moved to the side, keeping her head lowered. Just as MJ told him, there was a reception desk. Vincent approached it, and there sat the woman named Bethany. Once she greeted Vincent and provided him with the NDA, he asked about the $250,000 membership fee as well as his guest. It’d surprised Bethany that he wanted to pay for it without seeing the club, but he was taking his good friend’s word on their establishment. Since he would be in Chicago for a while, he would need a place, such as Club Desire, to release his tension. There was no hesitation after another lengthy conversation with MJ. Once he and CoCo finished completing the paperwork, they returned it to Bethany.

“We are a private club, and all members and guests must adhere to all rules of this establishment. Is that understood?” she asked after taking their packets.

Vincent nodded, “Yes, I understand.” He then motioned for CoCo to speak. “You may answer her.”

CoCo lifted her head and looked Bethany in the eye with a friendly smile. “Yes, I understand,” she confirmed and then bowed her head again.

Bethany worked on getting their information entered into the system. Once finished, she gave Vincent directions of the club’s layout. He thanked Bethany and then ushered CoCo from the reception to the lounge area. There were several people scattered around the open space in red armchairs at tables. He made his way over to the bar. Against the stark black wall was a backdrop with statues of men and women in provocative poses. Shelves with red backlighting were positioned between the figures. In the center of the back wall of the bar was the signage—its large gold letters spelling out ‘Club Desire.’ He pulled out one of the high-back red barstools for CoCo to sit on.

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