“I just needed a break.” I hope he accepts that answer and doesn’t press me. “The start of the semester is always hard, worse when it’s the start of the school year.”
He nods in agreement. “Yeah, you do tend to be more of a prick at those times.”
I laugh. I’m a prick, and we both know that. I just have a good balance in my life that affords me to do what I want and still be responsible. Mostly. Just mostly. I’ve only ever slipped up one time, and that was with Paige.
I don’t do serious. I’ve never been the commitment type, so all my relationships have been short-lived, and that’s fine by me.
It’s just a shock to my system that the first woman I’ve ever come across who had me wanting more with one kiss happened to be the one I can’t have.
“I promise I won’t be a prick tonight.” I chuckle.
“Better not be. We come here for fun, no matter what’s happening. James, I’m not stupid. I can see there’s more than the start of the semester that’s on your mind. Whatever it is, I’ll let you know that it was a good call coming here. Stress relief is always good.”
“Yeah, I agree.” I bump my fist with his.
“Is the promotion what you’re worried about?” He inclines his head to the side.
“Yeah,” I lie. However, because it’s something I know I might have to worry about saying yes isn’t that far from the truth.
This is the year of my career that counts. I’ve worked extremely hard for the last seven years at Raventhorne to get to this point. Everything I’ve ever done will be assessed by the end of this semester to see if I’ll be a good fit to head the department.
“You don’t have to worry. Nobody works harder than you at that place,” Wade states, and I appreciate his comments.
“Thanks, that means a lot.”
“It’s true. I’m just talking truth. So, forget the shit and get laid tonight. Fucking is always the perfect answer to stress. You got a dancer, didn’t you?”
I smile. Now, this is something I want to talk about. I love dancers. A.k.a the waitresses who will do more than serve drinks. Essentially strippers.
“I absolutely did. We have one each.”
He gives me a wicked smile.
In addition to the hot Italian blood flowing through my veins, the billionaire playboy trait that most of the men in my family have did not skip me.
When billionaires who have too much money on their hands get bored, they find ways and means to recreate that spark of excitement. For me, it’s not just coming here. I have to have a woman, and I don’t like fucking in public like the majority who come here. I’m more the private playboy who’ll appreciate a lap dance to start with and take it from there.
“No sharing this time?” he asks.
“Not for me.” I shake my head. I don’t like to do that anymore. Not that I’d be averse to it given the right woman. I think I’ve just outgrown the thrill of it. I much prefer getting a woman all to myself, knowing she’s mine for however long I decide to have her and watching her in pleasure because I give it to her.
“Cool, cool. Looks like we’re in for a great night.”
As if on cue, Chad and Mike both come up the steps leading up to the lounge, and just like always, we become the guys who are ready for a crazy night.
I put out my cigar, and we make our way to the Playboy Lounge. I’ve reserved a good room for us tonight.
It’s the one with the floor-to-ceiling glass windows that holds a great view of the Chicago skyline. Part of the floor is made of glass too, so we can see the orgy room.
Chad starts talking about one of his bizarre antics. He’s always coming up with some weird shit that has us laughing. And it’s always about a woman, or women. Tonight’s story is about his date last night, who turned out to be a psychic who told him she saw them getting married in the near future and having twins. She wanted him to propose there and then because there was no point waiting. She even showed him a picture of the wedding dress she planned to wear.
I honestly don’t know where Chad gets these women from.
In the short walk to the Playboy Lounge, he had us laughing until our sides ached. He certainly has me like it. Fuck.
Wade opens the door to the lounge, and inside are the women who await us.
I see three of them. Perfectly beautiful and topless. They’re setting up the buffet table with the food and drinks for the evening.