After the airline tickets arrive in my inbox, I stare at them, a little in shock. My pulse is racing and my cheeks feel a little hot because holy cow, am I really doing this? Am I flying all the way to NYC to attend a play party on my own? God knows how it’s going to turn out, but the butterflies in my stomach promise a load of fun. After all, what could go wrong? I’m a sexy, sassy woman ready to play, and this change in scenery is exactly what I need.
2
Jemima
* * *
I’m wearing my best lingerie under my dress, and I’m ready to nail my interview today. After all, no one can just show up unannounced at a Sanctum event, so I got lucky and was able to schedule an interview almost immediately after I touched down in NYC.
I look down at myself. Am I dressed appropriately? The knee length pencil skirt and white blouse are very professional, yet alluring at the same time. My curly brown hair waves over my shoulders, and I have high heels on, the black patent shiny in the afternoon sun. I guess I’m going for the sexy secretary look, and I hope it works.
But when I stop in front of the address they gave me, I see that it’s a huge office building made of concrete and steel. This can’t be right. This is the headquarters for a sex party organization, so how can it look so boring? I double check the information, but sure enough, I’m in the right place.
“The inside must be better,” I mutter under my breath. I push through the revolving door and find a drab lobby with saggy potted plants, greige walls, and a bored receptionist playing on her phone.
I straighten my shoulders. “Hi, I’m here for Sanctum HQ. Can you please point me in the right direction?”
The receptionist chomps on her gum as she looks me up and down. Evidently, I must not be very interesting because she barks, “Fourth floor,” before turning back to her game. Okay fine.
The elevator is directly across from the entrance, and I step inside the drab grey box. Surely, the lobby was just an aberration right? Sanctum HQ will be some kind of boudoir or a dark, sexy room with candles and heavy incense. The sex club has to hide what they’re doing from the outside, but behind closed doors, it’ll be exactly what I’m expecting.
But when I reach the fourth floor, I step out to find more of the same beige walls and blah interior. There’s a glass door with Sanctum HQ is etched on the clear surface, and I take a deep breath when entering. Disappointingly, there are no sexy people dressed in corsets with whips in their hands. Instead, a young woman greets me with a Crest-white smile and bobbling ponytail.
“Hi, you must be Jemima. Welcome.”
“Yes, that’s me. I’m excited to be here.”
“Let me bring you to Melissa. She’ll be interviewing you. Just give me one sec.”
The receptionist speaks into her headset and then shoots me a welcoming grin. “Just follow me.”
I nod and follow the perky woman down a hallway and then into an interior conference room. There are no windows, although I do notice the security camera mounted on the back ceiling.
“Melissa will be with you shortly. Please, take a seat,” the receptionist gestures before disappearing with a merry wave.
I smooth my skirt and take a deep breath before sitting. There’s nothing weird about this place at all, and to be honest, I’m wondering if I’ve gotten everything wrong. But at that moment, an older woman sporting a sleek bob and perfect makeup knocks on the door frame. She’s dressed in a very-expensive looking maroon suit with matching heels.
“Welcome to Sanctum HQ, Jemima,” she purrs. “I’m Melissa Watson.”
I stand and shake her hand. “Thanks for seeing me today, Ms. Watson.”
She nods while sitting and lets out a throaty laugh.
“Well, we’re always eager to meet pretty young things who express an interest in our club. I must ask, how did you hear of us?”
I smile. “Well, my sister-in-low came to a party here and I’ve been fascinated by it ever since. She had a great time. Maybe you know her? Her name is Corrie McNeil.”
Melissa gives me a measured smile. “Yes, we’re familiar with Corrie. Her experience here was quite unfortunate, but I assure you it was an aberration. I’m glad it hasn’t dissuaded you from interviewing with us. But I have a few questions I’ll need to ask. Is that okay?”
I nod. “Definitely. Go right ahead.”
“When was your last physical?” the older woman queries.
I scrunch my brow and think. “Uh, about six months ago. I get them every year and I was perfectly fine.”
Melissa nods and marks something down on her sheet. “Good, good. And were you tested for STDs at that time?”