“It’s not?” Kimi repeated, rubbing her brow, more confused than ever.
Janae started to rub her hands over her face, then stopped like she’d just remembered her make-up and didn’t want to smudge it. “I feel like this is the kind of conversation we should have had before we got here,” she said wryly.
Kimi bit her lip and nervously fluttered her hand. “Sorry… it doesn’t matter.”
“Yes, it does!” Janae was adamant in that. “It’sreallydamn important that you understand.”
“It might be better if I just sit things out,” Kimi answered, her shoulders dropping as a wave of sadness snuffed out the anticipation she’d been feeling. Even if it had been tinged with a considerable dose of nerves.
“No!” The word left her friend's lips like a bullet and made Kimika start.
“I refuse to let you self-sabotage, Kimi.” Janae didn’t think twice at calling her out. “I know how much you’ve wanted to do this. And if not now, then when?”
Kimika opened her mouth, but Janae just bulldozed over whatever excuse she might have given.
“Donotbother to answer that,” Janae continued, her palm raised in front of her in a universal ’stop’ gesture. “Because we both know if you don’t do it tonight, you never will. And we both know, despite your nerves, which are understandable for a first-time visit, that youdoreally want this.”
Her expression softened, and Janae took a step closer and gave Kimi a one-armed squeeze. “I can talk you through everything and anything, Kimi. And I’m happy to spend as much time on it as you need. But I can only do that if you’re here, girl.”
Kimi let out a soft breath and lay her head on Janae’s shoulder. “Thank you,” she whispered with a shy smile. “I needed the pep talk.”
She sucked in a bracing breath, drew her shoulders back and stood tall… which wasn’t any more than five foot six, even in her four-inch heels, and albeit with a confidence she wasn’t quite feeling.
Fake it until you make it. Isn’t that what everyone said?
“You’re right. I do want to do this. I just need to stop being such a wuss.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being cautious. That’s not a bad thing at all. Just as long as it’s not crippling you and preventing you from doing the things you want.”
Janae gave Kimika a bright smile and grabbed her by the hand. “Now come on, we’ll take a look around and I’ll talk you through everything. Just wait and see. You’re going to have an awesome night.”
She grinned.” Just follow your instincts - but not the ones saying ‘run’,” she added with a cheeky wink.
CHAPTER2
Colt James, head of security at the Eden resort looked around Iniquity with a practiced eye, taking in everything in just a glance. His friend and oftentimes drinking buddy, Shay Lando was doing exactly the same, though in a very different capacity, since he was the resorts Entertainments Manager.
Not for this particular type of entertainment, of course. Shay dealt with the outside events, rather than the club functions; watersports mostly - and yes, that was an ongoing joke, considering the lifestyle they shared. But in Shay’s case it really did mean snorkeling, jet skis and boat trips.
Still, that slow perusal, the critical eye, well, that was just instinctive and maybe something that they never really turned off. Especially considering the close, almost family run environment they all enjoyed on Elysium. It was just second nature to check that everything was running smoothly.
Colt was startled out of his reverie by a sharp whack to his chest, delivered by their other friend, Craig Carlton.
Craig, the island's mechanic and air traffic controller, had no such qualms, and Colt smirked when he caught Shay rubbing his chest and realized the same treatment had been dispensed there. “Will you two snap out of it!” Craig exclaimed. “It’s the Christmas party, and none of us are on duty.”
“Not sure I’m ever really off duty,” Colt muttered, but he shoved his hands in the pockets of his formal black tux and turned his back on the dungeon to give his full attention to his friends.
They were as different as could be, both in looks and character, but somehow the three of them had clicked from day one. Both in the tight friendship they shared, and in their kink preferences.
Colt was the oldest, at thirty-seven, and also the most somber of the group. Probably because his job required it of him.
Or maybe he was ideally suited to his job because of his dark and dominant personality.
“So, are we going to triple tag some little lady tonight?” he asked, pushing his dark glasses higher up the bridge of his nose. It was a constant source of ribbing from his friends that they rarely left his face even though it was evening, and they were inside, but Colt accepted it gamely.
He’d admit he felt naked without them, but that would inspire even more hilarity. The truth was, he liked being able to check out everything around him without anyone being able to tell he was doing it. Whether that was as part of his job, or here in the club.
Craig laughed and shook his head before casting his eyes around the room. “You say that like it’s not a foregone conclusion, dude,” he teased.