It was why the Funhouse Game had been blah for me. Two whole days of activities and fun torture, and Marcus had opted for the painless kinks every time.
“I don’t think you’ll need to twist his arm,” Greer replied. “Just keep in mind we’re doing different levels like we did with the Funhouse. Sloan’s plenty sadistic, but he’s not extreme like you can be.”
“Gorgeous, a mild spanking session would be an upgrade right now.” I ran after him up the steps and smiled when he laughed. “I don’t have to choose some extreme level.” As we passed Lucas and River, I said, “Hello, hello. I wanna hug you, but I got stuff here.”
“We can hug later, little one.” Lucas patted my head and smiled. “Are you doing okay?”
“Yes, Sir. Master Greer, Mr. Sloan, and Archie are amazeballs. I’m staying with them.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” He gestured for me to follow Greer, so that’s what I did.
Through the first floor, to the back where the service elevator was.
Ohhh, it smelled awesome here! And it was warm and cozy.
My stomach snarled with hunger.
Greer and I stepped into the elevator, and I was puzzled when he sent us to the roof.
“I’m gonna need my jacket if we’re going to the roof,” I said.
“No, you won’t. You’ll see why.” He rested the edge of the bottom box on the railing to the side, and he nodded at my wrist. “That’s a beautiful watch.”
He’d noticed!
“Thank you. I was a notorious snoozer when I was a kid, so when I started my business, Dad said I needed to get my act together, and he gave me this watch and a spiel on structure and being my own boss.”
Greer was amused again. “And now you’re not a kid anymore.”
I raised a brow. “Damn straight.”
I turned twenty-four the day after tomorrow, for chrissakes. I was practically thirty.
“Do all freelancers have their own companies?” he asked.
I shrugged. “I dunno. I’m not a freelancer in that sense.”
He hummed. “You’re kinda vague about what you do.”
Yeah…
“I do a thing online with weekly updates where I draw some stuff.”
He rumbled a laugh. “Well, that clears it up.”
I smirked and thanked my lucky stars the elevator door opened.
After that, it was social butterfly time. Not to mention a huge surprise to see what they’d done with the rooftop. Gone was the regular canvas ceiling that shielded us from the sun. They—and I didn’t even know who they were—had assembled a big party tent that covered the whole area. It was so cool! We were essentially indoors, only we had string lights and heaters. The picnic tables had been covered with black tablecloths, a big buffet and serving area took up one of the corners, and I spotted small speakers in the ceiling.
Did anybody rest yesterday?
With Greer’s errands, Macklin’s restaurant transformation, and how tired all the founding members looked, I had to wonder.
I got lost in greetings and heard a small voice at the back of my head telling me to calm down. This was going to overwhelm me soon, but it was just so good to see everyone. Gael was here, Kit, Tate and Kingsley, of course, Cam, Noa, Lucian, and KC… Aw, Ivy had been allowed to appear too. Since we’d learned she was pregnant, her two partners had been super protective. And after the fire, I’d expected they would lock her up.
“Corey!” Tate hollered.
“You go. I’m gonna go help Lucas,” Kit said.
“We’ll talk later.” I gave him a quick hug, then ran over to Tate and Kingsley and… Oh, that had to be their new play partner. “Hey.”
“I want you to meet Franklin,” Tate said. “He was eye-fucking you pretty hard, and I love embarrassing him.”
I coughed a laugh and watched how this Franklin guy stared at Tate in absolute horror. He was a very handsome man, possibly Greer’s age, so around forty-five, give or take. And a total Suit, unlike Greer.
Kingsley found this funny too, but he wandered off instead, shaking his head.
“Nice to meet you, Franklin. I’m Corey.” I smirked slyly and extended my hand.
Franklin actually blushed, and his smile felt forced. “Likewise, Corey. I promise, I didn’t do anything incongruous.”
Inconwhat?
I shrugged. “Nothing wrong with looking. Besides, this outfit deserves attention!”
“It sure fucking does, babe.” Tate tilted his head at me, eyes narrowing.
“Couldn’t help but overhear.” That was Shay, and he threw an arm around my shoulders. “You look hot as fuck, hon. You on the prowl?”
I grinned, mildly embarrassed to say yes, but then worry took over. He had dark shadows under his eyes. And given his history, having lost half of his family in a house fire, I couldn’t imagine what he was going through.
“Are you okay?” I hugged his middle.
“That doesn’t answer my question,” he chuckled. “I’m fine. And I fucking love Valium.”
Oh no. This tatted-up masochist was one tough fighter. As young as our friendship was, I’d quickly learned that he was so genuine and sweet, but he had a thick armor that he hid behind.