Scandalous (2 page)

Chapter Three

Beth

“You sure about this?”

I nod, my fingers entwining in his. I’d been hinting to Roman that I wanted to see his club, but apparently my hints went unnoticed until last night when I flat-out asked him. I was more than a little shocked he said ‘yes’ so easily. But surely he had to have been expecting this. The way he explained it to me—sex, adventure, pushing the boundaries while
you
are in control—how could that
not
appeal to me?

I’m convinced this is exactly what I need. After all that’s happened to me—the assault and my life running off track—I need to find some way to feel in control again. I rely too much on other people and I hate that. I used to be so independent, and a big part of me misses that girl.

Still, I can’t shake the feeling that I have no idea what I’m getting myself into.

Roman parks around at the back entrance. The place is deserted, to the point where I’m wondering if it’s even open. But I guess it wouldn’t be a secret sex club if it wasn’t discreet. From the outside, it looks like just another factory in the heavily industrialized area. Dirty and dark, it resembles something out of a horror movie.

We are still sitting in the car when I sneak another look at Roman as he fiddles with his phone. I hide a smile. How did I end up lucky enough to score him? He’s the full package: attractive, mysterious, sexual…every day I learn something new about him that surprises me. Spending the last few days by myself had really made me realize just how lucky I am to have him in my life.

Stepping out of the car, I shiver as the wind picks up, brushing past my bare arms. Roman wraps his arms around me, pulling me close. He plants a tender kiss on my lips. I grin as I take in his sparkling green eyes, my heart fluttering.

“Does it make you aroused? Having me come here?” I ask, a smile spreading across my lips. I love the idea of us exploring our sexual boundaries together.

“I guess you could say that.” He chuckles as he opens a heavy, metal door. “But then again, everything about you turns me on. Are you ready?” he asks, his voice husky.

I nod, pushing aside my uneasiness. The last time I’d felt this nervous, things had gone badly. Walking inside, the darkness of the place spooks me. Roman curls his fingers around mine and I relax.

“Up the hall and to the right,” he whispers. “Sorry, I didn’t expect it to be so dark back here.”

“It’s okay,” I reply. I follow his lead, sticking close to him in the narrow hallway. As we near the end, the noise begins to pick up. He pushes open a door. We walk inside and
I scan the room, unsure of where to look first. People stand in clusters, chatting, laughing, and drinking. There are maybe only be forty people, and all are dressed elegantly in cocktail dresses and suits. The place has much more class than I was expecting. There are no strippers dancing on poles or naked women serving alcohol
—j
ust everyday people. People like me. I glance at Roman, who squeezes my hand.

“I won’t leave you, and the second you feel uncomfortable, we’re out of here.” He speaks in a soft voice, his eyes searching mine for reassurance that I’m okay.

I nod, not wanting to let on just how exciting and terrifying I am finding all of this.

Roman leads me over to the bar. His arm slips around my back, holding me close. I take the opportunity to take in my surroundings. The place is huge, with a large space that at first glance could be mistaken for a dance floor. The walls are lined with plush red sofas where people sit, nursing drinks and interacting.

“So everyone here is a participant?” I was still having trouble grasping the concept. It wasn’t a brothel…but people had sex?

“Not the staff. The staff can participate, but not while they are working.”

“Do you participate?” I ask suddenly. I blush at how stupid my question sounds.

“Considering I’m never here with you, no I don’t.” He smirks at me, his eyes twinkling. “But I
can
. I own the place. I can do what I like.”

His words send a rush of excitement firing through my body.

“Everyone is here willingly, and we have plenty of measures in place to ensure nothing gets out of hand.” He points behind us. “See over there?”

I look at what appear to be giant glass boxes.

Roman laughs at my confused expression. “They are the private rooms.”

“They don’t look very private,” I mutter.

He chuckles and takes my hand, leading me in that direction. “Sit down here,” he orders, stopping outside one of the ‘rooms.’

I gawk at him. “But there is a couple in there. I’m sure they don’t want us watching them…”

He sits down, pulling me onto his lap. I gasp and grin at him, shocked that he’s already hard.

“Beth, people come here to be watched. Look at them.”

He gently holds my face, turning it so I’m facing the couple. The chick is stunning. She leans naked against the bed, her knee bent and her foot resting on her partner’s shoulder. He kneels between her legs, burying his tongue deep inside her.

This is so naughty.

As if she hears me, she opens her eyes and stares directly at me, gripping the back of his head. Her chin tilts up as her body begins to convulse, her eyes still locked on mine.

Holy fuck.

I hear the sound of Roman’s zipper as he guides my hand behind my back, curling my fingers around his hard cock. I work my hand into a rhythm, moving up and down his shaft.

He expertly maneuvers my panties down and flips up the back of my dress. I gasp, closing my eyes as he lifts me onto his tip. Slowly, he thrusts inside me, his hands on my hips, supporting me.

Glancing back at the couple, I see the man stand behind her as he drives himself inside her. She bites her lip and groans, making eye contact with me. Her eyes narrow and her lips lift into a cross between a smile and a grimace.

Roman’s hand moves down the top of my dress as he massages my breasts. I can’t believe how turned on I am. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

Reaching to the side of my strapless dress, I shrug it down, exposing more of my body. Roman groans and kisses my neck, his hands moving rapidly over my breasts as he begins to ride me faster.

“Oh God,” I whisper, tweaking my nipple. I lower my hand between my legs and begin to rub myself.
Oh shit, yes, fuck!

“I’m nearly there, babe,” he whispers, his tongue swirling behind my ear. “Fuck, you feel so good,” he groans, pumping his hips into mine. “Yeahhh….”

My fingers work inside me alongside him as I begin to climax. Both the man and the woman are watching us now, obviously enjoying the show. I cry out, falling back against Roman as his fingers trail down to my wetness, easing the last few moments of my climax from me.

“Wow.” I exhale, exhausted. And hot. I wipe away the moisture from the back of my neck and reposition my dress. As I stand up, Roman eases himself out of me and tucks himself back in. I glance around us, breathing out with relief when I’m sure that our performance went unnoticed.

“I’m surprised, Beth,” Roman murmurs as we walk back over to the bar. “I didn’t expect that.”

Neither did I. Being watched…and watching…wow, I can’t string words together to give justice to the pleasure I was feeling. I glance around the room and smile. How this place had stayed such a secret was beyond me.

**

Rolling over, I spread my arm over the smooth cotton sheets. I open one eye when I realize the bed next to me is empty. Glancing at my clock, I see that it’s barely even eight a.m., and I curse myself for waking up so early and close my eyes again. Part of me is wondering where Roman is, but not enough to actually get out of bed and go look for him. I sigh and snuggle into my pillow. It doesn’t take me long before drifting back off to sleep.

Several hours later I wake up again. It’s now almost twelve. I should probably be feeling embarrassed that I’ve slept half the day away, but honestly, I gave up feeling guilty about my lack of morning motivation a long time ago. Besides, I’ve just come off three months of fifteen-hour days on a movie set. If that doesn’t allow me a little time to indulge in sleep, I don’t know what does.

“Roman?” I call out, easing my legs out from under the covers. My body aches, and I smile as I remember why: Last night. Roman… Holy fuck. I was expecting it to be sexy, that the whole experience blew my mind—no pun intended.

Begrudgingly, I leave my warm bed and sidle out of the bedroom and through my silent apartment. A note waits for me on the kitchen counter. It’s from him, letting me know he has meetings all day. I shrug and put the coffee pot on. We were supposed to be having lunch today, but I’m more than happy to fill in the day with shopping.

Even though Roman spends nearly all his time here, he still has his apartment. Though I enjoy having him around, I also kind of like the freedom it gives me to be able to still call this place mine. I depend on him a lot, but at the same time the thought of depending on him scares the hell out of me. Probably because I never had anyone consistently there for me. My father disappeared when I was young. My mother died. My sister died. Is it any wonder I have issues with abandonment?

I move over to the dining table, where I have vague recollections of leaving my bag the night before, and fumble through it for my phone. Finally I grasp hold of it. My heart swells when I see Coop’s name in my messages.

My best friend, Coop, is the one person who has always been there for me. Even last year after the attack, when I did all I could push him away, he refused to give up on me. Not many people would stick by someone the way he has with me. I feel bad because I know our relationship causes problems between him and his girlfriend, Mia.

Coop: Catch up for a drink?

Me: Sure, so long as you don’t mind me dragging you around shopping afterwards.

Coop: If I have to. Benji’s at one? Might as well eat too.

Me: See you then.

After a quick coffee, I jump in the shower. Within ten minutes I’m out the door, sliding into the front seat of my red Maserati. I breathe in the smell of the creamy white leather and sigh.
God, I love this car
. Too bad I can’t drive for shit. Both Coop and Roman are always teasing me about the number of minor crashes I’ve been in. It’s hardly my fault if people keep running into my ass, though, is it?

I make it to my destination unscathed. It takes me a good ten minutes to find a parking spot, and by the time I do, I’m already running late. Cursing, I quickly lock the car and run as fast as my four-inch heels will let me, walking into the crowded eatery and spotting Coop right away. He waves at me, sporting his trademark sexy smile as I make my way over to the table.

“Hey you,” I grin, flopping down into a chair. I sigh and reach for a glass of water. “Why does it feel like it’s been ages since I’ve seen you?” I grumble.

“Because it has been,” he laughs. “We’ve caught up once since you’ve been back.”

“Really?” I wince. I didn’t think it had been that long. It’s not like I had work as an excuse at the moment, either. The only thing distracting me from my life was Roman.

“Don’t worry, I’ll forgive you so long as you pay for lunch. How’s things?” he asks, handing me a menu.

I flip it open and shrug. “Pretty good, actually. You? How’s Mia?”

“She’s fine. Same old shit for me. Studying is doing my head in, but I’m so close to finishing…”

“You better not quit, or I’ll chop your balls off,” I growl, narrowing my eyes at him. “Finish this and you can have a real future with Mia. You want that, right?”

“Sure,” he replies, his eyes not meeting mine.

I can feel there’s something he’s not saying, but I don’t push it because—well, because I’m too
scared
to push it.

“How’s things with Roman?”

Do I detect a hint of spite in his voice?

Stop it, Beth. You’re imagining things.

“Good. Things are great.” I blush, thinking about the feel of him inside me.

“That good, huh?” Coop’s eyes narrow as a smirk crosses his face. “I’ve never seen you blush like that before, Beth. He’s hitting the right notes then?”

“That he is,” I giggle. Maybe it’s weird talking about my sex life with another guy, but I need to talk to someone. Besides, Coop and I talk about everything. I used to hire him for his sexual services, for God’s sake. Before I can stop myself, I’m revealing everything. “He owns a club, Coop.”

“A club?”

I nod, another giggle escaping from my lips. “A sex club. I’m so hooked.”

Coop coughs, sending water spraying across the table. I recoil and curl up my lip as he stares at me, his eyes full of disbelief.

“Mr. uptight-and-by-the-book Roman owns a
sex
club? You’ve got to be kidding me,” he laughs.

I roll my eyes at his jibe. “Oh, you can trust me when I say the guy is anything but uptight
or
straight down the line. If you know what I mean.” I wink and he laughs.