"I didn't know we were going to. Do you tell me all about your sexual exploits with Devon?" He merged into traffic, with no particular destination in mind.
“That’s not fair,” she whispered.
Will bit his tongue. The frustration building within him was between him and Robert, no one else. However, he also didn’t like when they did this—act guilty for having a good time. “You’re right, it’s not. Look, I have stuff I need to figure out for myself. I can’t do that and watch all of you tip-toe around me because you feel guilty.”
She sighed. “You’re right. I can say my guilt comes from the fact I am doing what I enjoy. Seeing you alone... Bothers me.”
“Well, stop it.” He got onto the freeway going east. “It’s not like we all haven’t been alone at some point in our lives.”
“Yeah,” she replied. “That’s what worries me. Anyway, this is just me, checking on you.”
He smirked. “I appreciate it.”
“Somehow I don’t believe you,” she said. “But, I won’t argue with you. Take some time for yourself, okay?”
“I will. And, Kristin, if things change, you’ll be the first to know,” he answered. “So stop worrying about me so much.”
She chuckled. “Never. You’re my favorite person in the whole world.”
Will snorted a laugh. “Don’t say that in front of Devon, he might spank your ass.”
“You think so?” she teased.
Will rolled his eyes. “Woman, you’re the devil.”
Her tinkling laughter settled him a bit. “It’s all Devon’s fault.”
He shook his head as he ended the call. As the miles ticked by, he let out a rough sigh. Not being at work made his skin crawl but being inside his office also drove him insane. He turned on the radio to drown out his thoughts and the silence. He didn't have a destination in mind, but as he pulled into The Pleasure Dome's parking lot, he deflated. Who knew he'd remember where it was after driving the route all of twice and in the dark to boot? He pulled up to the parking lot and was stopped by the closed gate. Maybe it was a sign he shouldn't be there.
Yet, despite telling himself to throw his car in reverse and go home, he pulled up to the call box. He pushed the black button and waited. When a gruff voice asked for Will’s name, he gave it. “Will Anders.”
“One second.” The gate buzzed and opened slowly.
He sat in disbelief then shook his head and drove into the large parking lot. He wasn’t exactly sure where to park, so he found a spot near the entrance of the club and pulled in. He didn’t get out right away though. He sat there, staring at the building. It was unremarkable during the day. He figured it was done on purpose. Not like people wanted to advertise that a BDSM club was in the middle of an industrial area.
“Well, are you going to get out or sit here and gawk at the club?” For a pep talk, it sucked.
He got out of the car and walked to the door. When it didn’t open, he shrugged. Again, another sign he shouldn’t be there. If he didn’t take the hint the first time... He’d take the second. As he backtracked to his car, the same gruff voice from before called out to him. “Will?”
He jerked around. “Yeah?”
“Boss said to make you comfortable. He’ll be down shortly.” The big guy motioned Will to follow.
“Uh, thanks?”
He took in the behemoth of a man. He had to be about six-four or five. He had a good hundred pounds on Will and if by the way his security shirt stretched across his wide chest and ribbed stomach, not an ounce of fat either. He had the face of a brawler, including the cliche broken nose. The man glanced down at Will. His ebon gaze was assessing, hardened. A man like him didn’t get into security for a club like The Pleasure Dome unless he’d been military or such. He’d seen it with the guys at The Covenant. They were always evaluating people. Threats. Will bet his next paycheck the man knew exactly what was going on inside and outside of the club at every given second, without being told.
“Names Riggio,” the man said. “Most call me Manic.”
Will side-eyed him. “Manic?”
Riggio grinned and chuckled. “I earned it fair and square.”
There was no doubt in Will’s mind. “I’ll take your word for it.”
“Can I get you something to drink? Coffee? Water? Soda?”
Will already had too much caffeine running through his system at the moment. Any more and he’d be a jittery mess. “Water, please.”