“You’ll have fun, just wait and see.” Mollie cocked her head to the side. “And don’t worry about an outfit. I think I have something that would fit you. Something sexy.”
Crystal’s stomach pitched at the idea of putting herself out there again after all the abuse she’d suffered at Richard’s hands. “I’m not opposed to hitting the clubs, but bondage and submission? Seriously?”
Mollie bobbed her eyebrows. “How do you know if you don’t try it?”
Mollie did have a point. She’d lived in an emotional prison for too long. It was time to step out and have some fun. She smiled and picked up the business card. “Okay, I’ll try it.”
Mollie patted her on the hand. “That’s my girl.” She stood and propped her hands on her hips. “Now, let’s get dressed and go do some ‘therapy’ shopping.”
Crystal laughed as she got to her feet, feeling better than she had in months. “Sounds great, but I’m buying lunch. It’s the least I can do since you’ve been letting me crash here.”
Her friend’s arms came around her shoulders and Crystal was suddenly being pulled in for a hug. “That’s what friends are for, sweetie.”
Crystal knew the truth in that moment. When she’d met Mollie, she’d hit the friend jackpot. She’d be lost without her.
It was Sunday morning and the nightclub that Mac owned with his buddy Trent was closed. They’d taken over the running of the club along with their friend Dane over a year ago, after the previous owner had died of cancer. They’d grown close to Leo, and he had confided in them that he wanted the club to go to someone he knew and trusted. Someone who would take care of it. So they’d stepped in and made it happen. At one time they’d run the club on the side, while handling their law practice during the daytime hours. When the long days became too much, Trent and Mac had both willingly given up their day jobs to run the club full-time. Dane had chosen the lawyer route and sold them his third, giving up the club life entirely. Although that had been more about Lydia, the woman who’d stolen his heart.
Kinks now made them a hefty profit. Still, it was never about the money. It was their home away from home. The only place they could truly be free to explore the darker nature of their souls.
It had been in their college days that they’d realized they shared a common passion for the kinkier side of sex. When the club had practically been dropped into their laps, it’d seemed perfect.
As Mac looked at Trent sitting on a stool at the counter, he knew a sense of rightness about the proposal he was about to make. The nightclub belonged to both of them; it was only right that they both took part in taking it to the next stage. “I have a proposal, but it’s a big one. And probably a shit-ton of work, too.”
“Make it quick, will ya?” Trent grumbled. “I left a gorgeous woman in my bed and I really want to get back to her.”
“I’m sure she’ll wait for you.” Mac looked closer at Trent and noticed the dark circles under his eyes. “When was the last time you slept?”
Trent sat back in his stool and crossed his arms over his chest. “I was sort of . . . up all night.”
Mac glared at his friend, but stayed silent. He’d been doing more and more of that lately. Staying up all night. Drinking too much. Mac was beginning to worry. But Trent was a big boy and if there was something wrong he’d say so. After all, Trent wasn’t really known for keeping his thoughts to himself.
Trent yawned. “Why couldn’t we just meet at my house? And where the hell is the coffee?”
“Because this is about the nightclub.” Mac rolled his eyes at Trent’s pissy mood. He’d always hated mornings. Owning a nightclub suited Trent to a tee. Late nights and sleeping in until noon was right up Trent’s alley. “You want coffee, sunshine, then make it yourself. I don’t work for you, remember?”
“If you did, I’d fire your ass.”
“Christ, quit bitching and let me talk, and maybe we’ll be able to get through this meeting before dinnertime.”
“Fine, talk,” he bit out.
Mac started right in, no sense in dancing around it. “I’ve had a chance to look over the books. The business is doing great. Better than I expected.”
“Great, now can I go home?” Trent asked, as he started to turn toward the door.
Mac held up a hand. “No, damn it. The thing is, I’ve been looking at some property across town. I think it’s time to expand. Open a second Kinks.”
“That’s a hell of a lot of work.” Trent rubbed his jaw. “Are you sure it makes sense right now?”
Mac had never been more certain of anything. “I’ve been over it several times, and it’s a good move financially. Since neither of us has a day job any longer, we have the time to make it happen.”
Suddenly alert, Trent sat up and placed his elbows on the counter. “That will mean hiring a construction crew and interviewing for a new staff.” He shook his head. “I’m sure there’s more, but I’m still a little fuzzy here.”
Mac waved a hand in the air. “True, but the payoff will be more than worth it.”
“Another club would gain us a hell of a lot more customers, for sure. But I don’t want to end up bankrupt because we rushed into anything.”
Mac was a little worried about that, too. Owning your own business wasn’t for lightweights. “I agree. There’s a lot to consider.”