I felt my jaw drop, my eyes fixed on the man’s erect member. I had never seen a penis up close, only on my laptop screen, late at night. But here one was, almost close enough for me to reach out and . . . I tore my gaze away.
Peter wrapped an arm around my waist again, abruptly reminding me of his presence. “Should we look around?” he asked, his breath tickling my ear. Dumbly, I nodded, my attention suddenly caught by a burlesque dancer who was performing on a swing that dangled from the high ceiling.
Arm firmly around my waist, Peter led me over to where a small group of men had gathered, and I realized they were all gazing through a window set in the wall. As we approached, the men shuffled around to allow us space to join. I peeked through the window and gasped involuntarily.
The window opened up to another room, where a naked woman knelt on the floor, in between two men. As I watched, she alternated between sucking each of their cocks, eyes closed in apparent ecstasy. “For people who like to watch, and who like to be watched,” Peter whispered close to my ear. We watched for another few moments before he led me away.
“There are also more . . . private rooms,” he said, as he opened a door half-hidden behind one of the ornate velvet drapes. Before I had the chance to hesitate, he pulled me inside, closing the door behind us with a final click.
11
Grant
Never in my life had I been so eager to finish a show.
I rushed from song to song, foregoing my usual banter in between, ignoring the questioning looks my bandmates cast my way. When we were pulled back onstage for an encore, I felt like jumping out of my skin. When we came back for a second encore, I nearly screamed out my frustration.
But finally, it was over, and I rushed backstage, ignoring as Saul called out behind me. I had made up my mind: I was going to find that girl, and I was going to talk to her. Nothing more, even though I was already half hard just thinking about the swell of her breasts over the top of her latex gown. I looked around the backstage area, but she was nowhere in sight. Could she have gone out to join the audience for the show? God, please don’t let her have left already.
I swore slightly, steeling myself for what was sure to be a crush of people the second I stepped foot into the house. Before I could leave to continue my search in the crowd, however, a hand gripped me by the wrist.
“Not so fast,” Valentina said, her tone light, but her grip firm. “I believe you and I have some business to discuss.”
Shit. My heart sank. I knew I wouldn’t be able to shake Valentina off quickly, not until she had what she wanted, and I was rapidly losing my chance to find and talk to Ella. Resigned, I followed Valentina into her office, where we were soon joined by her lackeys, Cole, Heath, and Todd. The three of them gathered at the back of the office, as if to prevent me from making a hasty exit. I rolled my eyes. These guys always acted like they were in a cheesy gangster film. It was pathetic, really.
Valentina sat behind her desk, pretending to pick invisible lint off her impeccable black suit. I waited impatiently. Finally, she leaned forward, her gaze intent on mine. “Don’t you have something for me, dear?” she asked.
I pulled an envelope from my pocket and passed it over. Quickly, Valentina opened it, shuffling through the cash inside. “It’s all there,” I said, a little miffed.
“Of course it is, dear,” Valentina said smoothly. “But a woman in business can never be too careful, can she?”
“I guess not,” I said. I made to stand; if I hurried, Ella might still be there when I left. Valentina held up a hand to stop me, and behind me, Heath shifted slightly to block the door. I sank back into the seat, cursing internally. What now?
“I just wanted to check in with you,” Valentina said. “I can’t help but notice that your payments have been getting later and later. This payment is almost a week late. Is everything okay with you?”
This was certainly not the conversation I wanted to be having. “Everything is fine, Valentina,” I said. “I just overspent on the vigil this month.”
Valentina nodded, suddenly taking on a sympathetic expression. “It was a beautiful service, Grant,” she said. “So moving. I know this must be a difficult time of year for you, with all the memories. Please do let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.”
I nodded silently, drumming my fingers against the chair’s armrest. Valentina’s eyes rested on them, and I stopped abruptly.