I’m not entirely sure what to expect when we walk into that room, but I know one thing’s for sure… it’ll be unlike anything I’ve ever seen before in my life.
And I’m not letting Sophia out of my sight for even a minute.
Chapter 17
Sophia
* * *
How do you know if a man is mad? Like a fuming type of angry? Is it the way they stare fire right into your skin, making you so hot it’s impossible to breathe?
Or maybe it’s the way they grip onto you so tightly that they would squeeze all their ferocity out in one tight fist if they could. Or maybe I can tell Dean’s the epitome of rage by the way he growls a bit when Eddie gets too close.
Listen, I thought I was a big girl and could handle all of this. I thought I didn’t need Dean by my side to gather my own intel. However, when Eddie found me tonight, like a dog in heat searching out the nearest female, I could see the horniness in his eyes. The type of man who if I don’t submit wouldn’t mind getting a little rough.
I can handle my own against a man any day of the week, but not when I’m trying to gather intel. So, I find myself in the Catch-22 of all times. Damned if I do, damned if I don’t. That’s why I was happy to see Dean staring at me from across the room earlier tonight.
It almost felt like home.
Like I was safe.
But the way he stares at me right now is like he took that home and set fire to the place and stomped all over it.
Of course, I don’t blame him. I know I left him. He had no idea where I was. I gave him my word I’d work together with him and ended up leaving him to fend for himself at this party tonight.
I should have known he wouldn’t need me to secure an invite to Humphrey Hollingsworth’s side. I sometimes feel Humphrey fancies him a bit, and it makes me giggle when I think about it.
I don’t know what to tell Dean when we talk later. He can’t be upset that I went looking for Rosa and Eddie on my own. I’m not his to command.
When we enter the room, I’m not expecting what awaits us there.
It’s like a jungle inside his room and there are cages hanging from the ceiling with women dressed as tigers in them. Sexy tigers, obviously, but still. Tigers.
I shoot a sideways glance at Dean and he looks just as shocked as I am. Naked men and women touch each other on different beds throughout the room.
Dean takes my hand and gives it a little squeeze. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
I smile. “Thank you.” It’s official, I don’t deserve a man as nice as Dean. The fact he’s still here to protect me even though I left him last night makes my chest tight.
“Everyone please sit on the bed in the center. Let me explain the rules.” Humphrey waves his hand around to the couples in the room. There’s about ten people total, plus Eddie and Humphrey as the odd men out.
“Rules?” Dean whispers so only I can hear.
I shrug, hoping the rules aren’t too hard to follow. I want to bail on this whole mission, but I’ve come too far. I can’t give up now.
“For tonight, it’s anyone’s surprise. I’m going to pair you up, and you’ll each get a bed, and you can fondle, maybe touch a little, and when the buzzer rings the woman gets up and heads to the bed on her right.”
I shoot my eyes to Dean.
“Again, you can do as little or as much as you want.” Humphrey is giggling. “I know some of us like to watch, so maybe we’ll start with the men who like to watch on the back couches.”
He takes Dean’s hand and another man’s hand and leads them both to a couch near the back of the room.
I can do this.
“Sophia, since you’re still new, I’m going to put you with Kevin here. He’s new as well.” Humphrey drags an older man to stand in front of me. His eyes are kind, and he stares back at his wife.
“I don’t know how I feel about these kinds of things yet.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Me too.”
“Would it be lame if we’re the only one’s talking on our bed?”
I laugh a little. “I don’t think anyone will pay attention.”
Humphrey lowers the lights and a fog machine turns on at the back of the room. There’s a small strobe light that flashes yellow light every so often.
“Welcome to the jungle,” Humphrey shouts, and music starts playing. Nothing too loud, but definitely something to make the room not so silent.