“What’s this?”
I look up from the floor to see Hal, our burly doorman and all-around security guy, glaring at John Doe, who swallows hard while taking a step back.
Hal reaches for my arm and helps me to my feet, which, to be honest, doesn’t feel much better. “Are you okay, Lu?” he asks.
I furiously smooth out my skirt, mortified by the whole thing. “Yes, yes, Hal. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.”
He glares at John Doe, then looks back at me. “Are you sure, Lu?”
Before I can answer, I hear the rustle of multiple layers of clothing. Without even looking, I know that Gwen has joined us.
Because, of course.
She clasps the member’s arm, like he’s her special date, and bats her eyelashes at him. “Everything good here?” she asks, like Hal and I are invisible.
John Doe takes a deep, indignant breath, ready to prey on her concern. “Well, Gwen. I’m not sure things are so good. I was just getting to know”—he points at me, like I’m a stain on the sidewalk—“this young lady here, but she was about as unfriendly as they come.”
Hal and I look at each other with the understanding that we need to let Gwen take the lead on this. But I plan to let her know what really went down, first chance I get.
“I’ll have a talk with Lu, don’t worry,” she says, glaring at me. “But for now, let’s all get to where we need to be. Okay?” she asks cheerfully.
John Doe takes off down the hallway, and as soon as he’s out of earshot, Gwen turns to Hal. “So. What did you see?”
He shakes his head. “I have to tell you, boss, it looked like the man was up to no good. Lu here was on the ground.”
Gwen’s eyebrows rise. “You were on the ground, Lu?”
I nod. “Yeah, you see, he grabbed me right where my last client spanked me. Hard.”
Hal stifles a small grin and places a hand on each of our arms. “I’m getting back to work, ladies, since everything seems okay now.”
“Thank you, Hal,” I say.
Gwen places her hands on her hips and moves closer to me, so close I can see the flakes of mascara that have fallen off her lashes and onto her cheeks. “That member was upset,” she spits at me.
I take a step back as if I can escape her vitriol. “He just… caught me so off guard. I’d just had a very intense session with Rowan, and this guy wanted me to turn around and head back to Room 21 with him. He said his name was John Doe, and he was just so gross—”
Gwen cuts me off, starting by pointing a finger right in my face. “I understand you need a break. But you must always, always make a member feel important. It doesn’t matter whether you find him attractive or not. Not every member here looks like Max, Greyson, or Rowan. If someone wants your time, how he looks is not a factor in whether or not you accept. We can’t do that to our clients. Do you understand?”
I nod. “Yes, I do, Gwen,” I say quietly.
What’s the point of arguing or even trying to discuss this with her? She’s not going to listen.
“I’ll smooth things over with him. You go get a shower and relax, okay?” she says.
Shower and relax. That’s exactly what I needed to unpack the last couple hours of my life.
But about meeting with just any member of the club? Not sure about that.
Max, Greyson, and Rowan may have ruined me for anyone else.
* * *
I’m just openingmy book to start studying, happy for something to take my mind off the day, when my cell rings. It’s my friend from home, Melanie.
I flip my old phone open. Now that I have a little cash in the bank, I can get a fancy smartphone like everyone else. But I’m not going to. It’s funny how when you want something, and then you can finally have it, you don’t really want it anymore.
“Melanie!”