He slowly lowers me until the sole of my boots touches the wide Chicago sidewalk. Shaking from the pent-up orgasm, it takes me a minute to regain my composure.
I take in my surroundings in the hopes of cooling down. The converted hotel from days gone by reminds me of the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. It’s beautiful and imposing. And nothing like the last Club Sin I’ve been in. There are no hanging willows, whispers of past generations, or comforting silence on this side of the large glass doors. However, its weathered limestone and brick in various shades of gray lend the old building a welcoming quality.
A canopied entryway leads to a luxurious interior. Cool, floral-scented air wraps around my heated skin and I sigh with welcomed relief when the wide, polished doors snick closed behind us.
“Ms. Romano. We’ve been waiting for you.”
The silence coming from the wall of muscle at my back is deafening.
“This way please.”
I don’t turn to see if my three villains follow. I can’t show an ounce of weakness here. I do and I might as well kneel in front of them and give them the reins to my life. Besides, it’s too late for nerves now. I shove down the jittery feeling of a thousand tendrils of electricity fluttering through me and follow a sensually dressed hostess.
We pass through the lobby where several members lounge with others. A few eyes grace the line of my tight dress. As soon as they see the three bratva men on my heels, eyes avert quickly.
Our heels are muffled on the floor as we are led to a bank of elevators.
I swallow thickly at the memory of what happened the last time we were in an elevator at Club Sin.
As we wait for ours an arm comes around me. Maybe it’s crazy to feel relieved that at least one of the trio isn’t mad at me. I didn’t realize how tense my muscles had become until this moment. Con’s touch pushes away my hesitation and self-doubt.
“When did you pull this together?”
“This past week while you slept. All it took was a couple of calls and your black credit card.”
Amusement crosses his face when I peer over my shoulder. “I was going to tell you, but that would have ruined the surprise. And since I don’t have my own money at the moment—”
“Yes, you do. What is ours is yours. You have no need to ask.”
I offer up a faint smile. “Thank you. I appreciate that, but that is not true. What is yours is yours. You’ve shared, yes. But that needs to change.”
His chin touches my shoulder. “We will have to fix your way of thinking.”
I step into the elevator and stand beside the hostess leaving enough room for the three of them to fall in behind us.
They do, but I know the second we are alone I am so going to pay for not letting them in on my plans.
The hostess leads us to the fourth level of the club. Up here it’s all corridors and polished lines. Black carpet and elegant chandeliers which are mock replicas of larger versions in the first-floor lobbies.
We pass several doors until we reach the one reserved for us.
“Here we are.” The hostess slips a key into the lock and we follow her inside.
“As you’ll see, the contracts are prepared as requested, Ms. Romano. And as requested I will wait outside for them to be signed. Once you have them, please pass my copy and I’ll leave you to enjoy your stay with us.”
“Thank you.”
When we are left alone, I turn to find my quiet trio each with a look of curiosity and tolerance. They want to know why we are here instead of the Four Seasons. Naturally. There’s nothing here that the other place doesn’t have. Except for the slip of paper on the low table in front of the settee and a very large bed.
“Gentlemen if you would take a seat, please.”
“What’s this about, beautiful?” Bastian takes my hands and kisses the back of my knuckles.
It would be easy once again to toss aside my plan but I need them focused on us right now and not the outside world.
“Please,” I ask again and wait until they humor me. I suffer from no misconceptions of controlling anyone here except myself.
I twist my fingers into knots in front of me just like the words that have stuck to my tongue. I’ve practiced this for a week in my head but I can’t get them to come out.