“Should I call you ‘Uncle’, too?”
She almost laughed at the glazed, sexual intensity that filled his eyes. Sometimes, men could be so simple.
“You are wickedly shameless,” he finally sighed with a wry expression. “Every man’s greatest fantasy and worst nightmare. Beware, Courtney, bad girls often get spanked. ”
“Hmm, spank me, Uncle Khalid?” She laughed as he shook his head at her, though his eyes gleamed with amusement.
“Come along, vixen. ” He placed his hand against the bare flesh of her back and guided her to the open doors of The Club. “I have purchased the finest bottle of whisky that Ian stocks, and I promise Thom will keep you in ice until Ian arrives. ”
From the sound of his voice, he was eagerly awaiting Ian’s arrival. But then again, so was she.
They entered the main room of The Club as nearly a dozen pairs of eyes turned and looked their way. Surprisingly enough, there was another woman present, one Courtney knew quite well.
“Courtney Mattlaw, your father would have a stroke. ” Alyssa Hampstead came to her feet as Khalid led her to the table. “I heard you were staying with Ian, but didn’t believe it. ”
“Hello, Alyssa. ” Courtney smiled widely. “And don’t mention Daddy. If he would have a stroke, then yours would self-detonate. I had no idea you were a member here. ” Better yet, how was she a member?
“Have a seat, ladies. ” Khalid pulled Courtney’s chair from the table as she took her seat before moving to assist Alyssa similarly. “I’ll get the drinks and join you momentarily. ”
He turned from them as Alyssa’s eyes followed him with a touch of heat.
“He’s a wild man,” she sighed. “But quite charming. ”
“What on earth are you doing here?” Courtney couldn’t believe a woman had actually made it into Ian’s sacred Club as a member. “How did you manage it?”
Cool blue eyes turned to regard her thoughtfully.
Alyssa was often referred to an “ice princess” with her steely eyes and soft ash blonde hair. She was from one of the most upstanding prudish families Courtney had ever known. Her family was old money, staid, conventional, and her father would likely murder her himself if he ever learned she was taking it up the butt by a man, let alone at the same time she was getting it elsewhere.
“Several of The Club members are very good friends. ” The other woman shrugged. “They ap
plied for my membership and vouched for me personally. It beat taking the chance of Father learning my little hobby. ”
There was no bitterness in her voice, nor truly any anger, but Courtney now, as always, felt a measure of respect for her. She lived her life under a microscope at times, just as Kimberly Raddington had. A cherished daughter and heiress, the head of several charitable organizations, and often approached as a spokeswoman for those organizations.
Courtney had always admired her for her work, the warmth that she showed to only a few people, and her family loyalty. Now, she found, she had much more to admire the woman for.
“Your drinks, ladies. ” Khalid sat a small glass of whisky and ice in front of her, a rum and coke in front of Alyssa. “I understand Ian is currently on his way home from a meeting he left in the middle of. ” He was amused to no end. “Enjoy it while you can. ”
Courtney sighed as she lifted the glass to her lips.
“He hasn’t shared you yet. ” They both watched as Khalid took his seat across from them.
“No. ” Her lips twisted in a grimace. “He wants to…” She shrugged.
How was she going to push him into anything? She was here, but just being here wasn’t going to be enough.
“Courtney hasn’t found the right button to push yet,” Khalid informed her.
“I’m wondering if he has one,” she snorted in a purely ladylike way.
“I gather she hasn’t yet tripped onto Ian’s sole nonparticipation kink?” Alyssa chuckled knowingly as she watched Courtney now with a suggestive look.
“I think not,” Khalid murmured. “Ian would never give her such power. ”
“I am here,” Courtney announced with a frown. “There’s no reason to talk over me. ”
“Tell me, Courtney, how adventurous are you?” Alyssa reminded her now of a playful little cat. Her nose wrinkled engagingly, her eyes filling with laughter and fun. This was a side of Alyssa that a rare few were allowed to see.